Phishing emails asking residents to supply additional information in relation to registering to vote have been reported by other local authorities.
The reported fake email address used is electoral@register-to-vote.electoral.agency - however, similar email addresses may also be used.
When you make an application to register to vote, the Electoral Registration Officer must verify your identity. Identity verification is undertaken by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), or by using suitable records held by the Council.
In some cases when we have not been able to verify you by DWP or other Council records, we will ask you to provide documentary evidence. To do this, we will either email you from elections@southend.gov.uk or write to you at the address given on your application. If you are unsure if an email you receive regarding electoral registration or elections is legitimate, please contact us on 01702 215010. More information on registering to vote is available on our register to vote page.
If you receive a phishing email, you should not click any links or respond to the email. Emails of this kind should be reported to the National Cyber Security Centre.