Last updated: October 19, 2026
The quick answer
On October 15, 2026, the FBI warned that fraudsters are exploiting the US midterm elections with four main schemes: campaign “investment” pools, fake political action committees, political merchandise that never arrives and texts claiming you aren’t registered to vote. Some use AI-generated voices and images to pose as candidates or officials. Before you donate, buy or share personal details, verify the organization yourself through official sites such as the FEC or vote.gov rather than any link you were sent.
What happened
The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) published a public service announcement, alert number I-101526-3-PSA, updating a similar warning it issued before the 2024 election. It describes how criminals use the attention around campaigns to collect money and personal information. Security outlets including Help Net Security and The Register reported on the alert the following day.
The alert also notes that AI tools now let scammers produce convincing voices, images and written messages that impersonate candidates, campaigns, government agencies and even people you know. That makes the old advice of looking for typos and clumsy wording far less reliable.
| Scheme | How it works | Main red flag |
|---|---|---|
| Campaign investment pool | You’re told your contribution goes into a fund that pays out, often if the candidate wins, and you’re urged to recruit others | Any promise of a return on a political donation |
| Scam PACs | A committee collects donations that end up with the scammers rather than a real cause | No verifiable link to the group it claims to represent, or unusually high fundraising and admin costs in filings |
| Fake merchandise | You pay for campaign gear that is never shipped | Unknown sellers, no reviews, pressure to pay quickly |
| Voter registration phishing | A text or email says you’re not registered and links to a fake sign-up page that harvests personal data | Unsolicited registration warnings with a link |
What changes for you
In the weeks before an election, political texts, emails and calls arrive in large numbers, and many of them are legitimate. That volume is exactly what scammers hide behind. The key point from the FBI is simple: a campaign donation is a contribution, not an investment. In the agency’s words, donations “will not increase in value nor be returned.” Anyone promising otherwise is not running a real campaign fund.
The FBI also points out that some scam PACs are formally registered, so a registration on its own isn’t proof of legitimacy. Looking at the committee’s financial filings, especially very high spending on consulting, fundraising or administration, can reveal more.
How to protect yourself
- Check your voter registration yourself. If a message says you aren’t registered, don’t tap the link. Go to vote.gov by typing the address, and follow it to your state’s official election site.
- Look up PACs and committees on the FEC website before donating, and review their filings and spending.
- Donate through channels you find on your own, such as a campaign’s official website, rather than through links in unsolicited messages.
- Confirm contact details. Make sure the phone number, email or web address matches the organization it claims to be.
- Research sellers of political merchandise through reviews and complaints before paying.
- Treat urgent or emotional messages as a warning sign. Pause before acting, even if a voice or video looks and sounds like a real candidate.
- Report fraud at ic3.gov or to your local FBI field office. Include names, phone numbers, websites, how you paid and how the contact began.
If you use an Android phone, the new protections in Google Messages can help filter some of these texts; see our guide to Android’s scam protections. For the wider phishing picture, read how toll, package and tax scams are built. And if your contact details were recently exposed in a breach, such as the More Rewards breach, expect more targeted messages.
Who is affected, and who isn’t
Most at risk: US voters who receive political texts, emails and calls, people who donate to campaigns or PACs, and anyone shopping for campaign merchandise online. The schemes target supporters across the political spectrum.
Less relevant: readers outside the US, although the same tactics, fake registration links and fake donation drives, appear around elections elsewhere too. Legitimate campaigns will keep contacting voters; the goal isn’t to ignore all political messages, but to verify before you pay or share data.
FAQ
I got a text saying I’m not registered to vote. Is it real?
Don’t use the link to find out. Check your status independently through vote.gov and your state’s official election website. That way you get an accurate answer without handing your details to a fake page.
Is a registered PAC always safe to donate to?
No. The FBI says some scam PACs appear registered. Review the committee’s filings on the FEC site and be cautious if most of the money goes to fundraising, consulting or administrative costs.
What should I do if I already sent money?
Contact your bank or card issuer right away to ask about stopping or disputing the payment, then file a report at ic3.gov with as many details as you have.
Leave a Reply