Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has filed a lawsuit (PDF) against Donald Peltier, of South Hadley, Massachusetts, for his alleged role in operating fraudulent websites claiming to be associated with the Democratic and Republican parties. The lawsuit alleges Peltier used the fraudulent websites “democraticnationalcommittee.co,” “maf.democrat,” and “republicannationalcommittee.org” to obtain donations from the public.
“Donating to a cause or candidate you believe in can be gratifying, but it’s important to be vigilant against scams,” Nessel said. “Bad actors often prey on this enthusiasm, using deceptive tactics like fraudulent websites to steal your hard-earned money. Protect yourself by researching organizations before donating, and as always, if you think you have been a victim of a scam, please reach out to my office.”
Michigan residents interested in donating to a political party, campaign, or Political Action Committee (PAC), should keep the following in mind:
- Be proactive: Seek out causes or campaigns that align with their values rather than responding to unsolicited fundraisers.
- Don’t rely on names alone: Scammers often create names that sound official.
- Conduct research: Federal PACs are required to register with the Federal Trade Commission (FEC). Review their records to determine whether they are well-established or potentially fraudulent.
- Be cautious of scam PACs targeting seniors: Elders are often targets for scammers.
- Be wary of phone calls and texts asking for donations: These tactics are commonly used by bad actors.
- Cross-reference information: Visit the PAC’s website, but also verify their legitimacy through reputable, independent sources. A website’s existence doesn’t guarantee it’s trustworthy.
Original source can be found here.