Political campaigns depend on accurate data from grassroots efforts like door-to-door canvassing, signature gathering, and voter registration. When data is compromised by fraud, it misleads decision making and wastes those critical, limited resources. In fact it’s worse than that. Because actions are being guided by cheating.
In 2024, Field faced a new and significant challenge. Spoofing. This post explores what spoofing is and how to prevent it.
What Is Spoofing Fraud?
Spoofing fraud happens when canvassers report work they haven’t done, such as claiming to knock on doors in one area while being elsewhere—or not working at all. They do this with the help of tailored technology that tricks canvassing apps into registering false GPS coordinates.
In 2024, for example, technology used by Patriot Grassroots revealed canvassers in Georgia who claimed to be working locally, but who were actually in Florida, hundreds of miles away. This wasn’t an isolated incident but part of organized efforts to exploit campaigns lacking real-time oversight.
How Patriot Defeated the “Spoofer Gangs”
Systems smart enough to see past the deceptions, accurately tracking canvasser locations and activities in real time were critical to defeating the “spoofer gangs.” For instance, Patriot Grassroots used such tools to detect cheating in Georgia, identifying the exact locations of canvassers who were misreporting their work. This allowed for quick action. We confronted and dismantled the perpetrator gang. Real-time monitoring also enabled immediate adjustments, like reassigning canvassers or investigating discrepancies, ensuring that data remained reliable.
Technology plays a key role in maintaining data integrity and defeating the cheaters. But it’s an on-going battle. As our technology improves, so does the spoofer tech.
How Campaigns Can Protect Against Fraud
Spoofing fraud is a growing concern, especially in high-stakes elections. Campaigns can take practical steps to safeguard their fieldwork data:
- Using Technology: The ultimate solution to this problem lies in utilizing advanced tech that can precisely verify canvasser locations and identify any irregularities, regardless of their spoofed location.
- Require Transparent Reporting: Ask field teams for detailed, real-time updates on canvassing progress to spot inconsistencies early.
- Check Data Regularly: Review data reports for unusual patterns, like improbably high contact rates or activity from unexpected locations.
- Support Canvasser Training: Well-trained teams with clear expectations are less likely to falsify data. Ongoing oversight can address issues promptly.
Looking ahead to 2025, spoofing fraud remains a risk as campaigns scale up. The 2024 cases showed that technology and vigilance can make a difference. By prioritizing data integrity, campaigns can ensure their grassroots efforts reflect real voter interactions, building trust and maximizing impact.
