The FBI warns the public that scammers could exploit the 2026 US Midterm Election to perpetrate financial fraud schemes. These schemes target victims across the United States and have previously exploited state and local elections. This PSA is an update to alert number I-102924-PSA, published on 29 October 2024, titled “Scammers Exploit 2024 US General Election to Perpetrate Multiple Fraud Schemes.”
As previously reported, scammers use the names, images, logos, and slogans of candidates to fraudulently solicit campaign contributions, sell merchandise that is never delivered, or steal personally identifiable information (PII) that can be used for other fraud. Scammers also exploit artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate highly realistic voices, images, and written messages that impersonate candidates, campaigns, government entities, and trusted contacts. The realism makes these schemes harder for victims to detect and increases the likelihood of financial loss or exposure of PII. Election-related fraud schemes come in many varieties, including the schemes detailed below.
Campaign Investment Pool Scheme
Scammers promise victims a guaranteed return on campaign contribution dollars by investing in a candidate campaign pool that supposedly pays out after the candidate wins. Victims are also encouraged to recruit others to invest in the pool to increase their share of the payout.
Political Action Committee Scheme (a.k.a. ScamPACs)
Scammers dupe victims into believing they are donating to a legitimate Political Action Committee (PAC), such as a Super PAC or candidate's campaign committee but the scammers have no affiliation with the PAC and keep the funds.
Online Purchase Scheme
Scammers claim to sell political merchandise but do not ship the purchase when ordered. This is a classic "non-shipment scam" or "non-delivery fraud" scheme.
Voter Registration Scheme
Victims receive a text message or email stating they are not registered to vote in their state and are encouraged to click a link that takes the victim to a fraudulent state voter registration page. This scheme is a means to steal PII for identity theft and potentially to further target victims for additional fraud schemes.
Tips to Protect Yourself
- Be cautious with unsolicited calls, texts, emails, or surveys. Do not provide PII to persons you do not know or click unknown links.
- Campaign donations are not an investment and will not increase in value nor be returned.
- Verify and review the Political Action, Party, or Candidate Committee registration and financial filings on the Federal Election Commission (FEC) website. Be mindful some scam PACs and SuperPACs may appear registered; if a PAC or SuperPAC reports high expenses for fundraising, consulting, compliance, or other administrative costs it may be a scam.
- Confirm unsolicited contact information is associated with the organization it claims to represent.
- Research companies before making purchases by checking reviews and complaints on BBB.org.
- Check your voter registration at www.vote.gov.
Report It
If you or someone you know encounters an election-related scam, report it to your local FBI field office or to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov. Provide as much detail as possible:
- The name of the person or company that contacted you.
- Identifying information about the company and/or individuals who contacted you, including phone number, address, email address, and websites.
- Financial transaction information including method of payment.
- Describe your interaction with the individual, including how contact was initiated, the type of communication, what you were told or instructed, what you provided, and any other details pertinent to your complaint.
For additional information on other election-related threats, please see the following Public Service Announcements: