Allegations of fraudulent contributions through Act Blue and investigations into "dummy" accounts and unauthorized donations

The House Administration Committee, led by Chairman Bryan Steil, has referred findings to the attorneys general of five states—Arkansas, Texas, Missouri, Virginia, and Florida—after identifying suspicious donation patterns through ActBlue. These patterns include discrepancies between donors’ financial profiles and their contribution amounts, as well as frequent donations from individuals who have previously supported opposing candidates. The committee’s letters suggest that these irregularities warrant further investigation to determine the legitimacy of the donations and the potential exploitation of campaign finance regulations.

Investigative Actions

The House Oversight Committee has also initiated its own investigation, prompted by reports of potentially fraudulent activity associated with ActBlue. Lawmakers have requested financial suspicious activity reports from the Treasury Department, highlighting concerns that individuals may be using the platform to bypass campaign finance laws. Notably, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares is looking into instances where single donors reportedly made thousands of separate donations, raising alarms about the possibility of illegal contributions.

Concerns Over Security Measures

Critics have pointed out that ActBlue had previously failed to implement standard security measures, such as requiring a Card Verification Value (CVV) for online transactions, which could have helped prevent identity theft and fraud. The scrutiny of ActBlue comes amid heightened awareness of foreign interference in U.S. elections, with lawmakers emphasizing the need for transparency regarding the sources of campaign contributions. The ongoing investigations aim to clarify the extent of the alleged misuse of the platform and ensure compliance with campaign finance laws.