How it works
Not affiliated with ActBlue.
Quick start
- Forward a fundraising email to
submit@abjail.orgor upload a screenshot. - We process it, create a public case, and flag potential policy issues.
- Submit the report to ActBlue:• If you forwarded, use the “Submit to ActBlue” link in the email we send you.
• If you uploaded, click Submit to ActBlue on the case page.We'll track any replies on the case.
How to submit a message
There are three ways to submit a political fundraising message:
Forward email Best fidelity
Forward suspicious fundraising emails to submit@abjail.org. This preserves headers, formatting, links, and images so we can prepare a ready-to-send report.
Recommended for email: most complete record and fastest reporting flow.
Screenshot upload Best for SMS
Capture the text thread or email view and drag it into the uploader. We support PNG, JPG, HEIC, and single-page PDF up to 10MB.
Recommended for SMS/MMS and social screenshots. Preserves layout and images, but not email headers.
What happens after you submit
We capture the content
Screenshots go through Optical Character Recognition (OCR); forwarded emails keep their original formatting. The raw text and media are stored on the case.
We extract additional context
If an ActBlue landing page URL is detected, we automatically capture a screenshot for context. For forwarded emails, we also reduce personalized content (like your name) to protect your privacy.
AI flags potential issues
A lightweight check confirms it's fundraising; a deeper check highlights potential violations (e.g., fake matches, deceptive urgency).
A public case is created
The case shows evidence (text/screenshot), flagged issues, and the landing-page snapshot for context.
Report to ActBlue
From the case page, click Submit to ActBlue. We prefill campaign name, message text or screenshot, landing page, and a case link. Replies from ActBlue are attached back to the case.
Reporting violations to ActBlue
We make reporting fast and consistent by pre-filling the details ActBlue needs to investigate—so you can submit in seconds and track responses in one place.
Email-Only Workflow (Easiest)
- 1.Forward a suspicious email to
submit@abjail.org. - 2.We process it and email you the case.
- 3.Click the Submit to ActBlue link to file your report.
No website visit required. The entire process happens via email.
Website Workflow
- 1.Upload via website or forward an email
- 2.View the case on AB Jail
- 3.Click “Submit to ActBlue” button on the case page
- 4.Review the pre-filled report and submit
How we flag potential violations
How detection works
We use AI to review each fundraising solicitation in context. First we extract the text and capture a snapshot of the donation page. The AI compares that evidence to ActBlue’s Account Use Policy (AUP) and our focused policy patterns, then returns potential flags with a short rationale.
Misrepresentation/Impersonation
Entities must not misrepresent themselves as being another entity or use the name or likeness of any candidate, elected official, or organization in a manner that implies endorsement, affiliation, or authorization without documented written permission of that candidate, elected official, or organization.
View full ActBlue AUPDirect-Benefit Claim
Entities must not misrepresent that donations will directly benefit specific individuals.
View full ActBlue AUPMissing Full Entity Name
All text and email fundraising solicitations must include the full name of the entity or established organizational acronym. Other abbreviations are not acceptable.
View full ActBlue AUPEntity Clarity (Org vs Candidate)
Fundraising solicitations must make clear whether the donation is going to an organization or a candidate.
View full ActBlue AUPBranding/Form Clarity
All contribution forms must include branding that contains the entity's logo or name, and the form link must not be misleading.
View full ActBlue AUPPAC Disclosure Clarity
If the entity is a PAC, contribution forms must make it clear that the donation is going to a PAC.
View full ActBlue AUPFalse/Unsubstantiated Claims
All text and email fundraising solicitations may not include false or unsubstantiated claims, including references to fake voting records, [or] insinuate expiration of non-existent memberships or subscriptions.
View full ActBlue AUPUnverified Matching Program
All text and email fundraising solicitations may not [...] promote unverified matching programs. If an entity advertises a matching program for contributions made through ActBlue, the entity must be able to provide documentation to ActBlue of such a program, upon request.
View full ActBlue AUPImproper Use of ActBlue Name
Entities must not use the name 'ActBlue' inappropriately or in a disparaging manner. This includes misrepresenting communications from ActBlue, undermining ActBlue by falsely stating or implying security or technical problems with the platform, or suggesting that ActBlue 'may go away at any minute.'
View full ActBlue AUPReal-time monitoring through bots
Beyond user submissions, AB Jail continuously monitors fundraising at scale using seeded phone numbers and email addresses. These “honeytrap” accounts subscribe to campaigns, PACs, and list sellers, capturing solicitations automatically.
All collected messages undergo the same AI analysis as manual submissions, appearing in the public database with the same violation flags and context. This two-pronged approach ensures we catch both individual cases flagged by donors and systemic patterns across campaigns.
Browse by source: On the cases page, filter by “user submitted” or “automated collection” to see which messages came from donors and which from our monitoring systems.
Get involved
AB Jail is open source and community-driven. You can help improve the project by:
- Submitting cases to build our public database
- Reporting bugs or requesting features
- Contributing to AI training by evaluating classification accuracy
- Contributing code on GitHub
Questions?
For more information about the project, see our About page. For technical discussions or support, visit our GitHub Discussions.