Election Season Scams

Election Day is November 3. Calls, texts, and emails about the election are everywhere right now. Most are legal, even when they're unwanted. But scammers use this season too.

This applies no matter who you support. We don't take sides.

What the FBI says: Scammers use the names, pictures, logos, and slogans of candidates to ask for money. Some sell campaign items that never ship. Others want your personal information. The FBI also warns that scammers use AI tools to make realistic voices, pictures, and written messages. These can pretend to be a candidate, a campaign, a government office, or someone you trust.

Four schemes the FBI describes

A campaign "investment pool." You're promised money back after a candidate wins. You may be asked to bring in friends, too.
A fake political committee. It copies the look of a political action committee (PAC) or campaign committee. But the scammers have no tie to it, and they keep the money.
Items that never arrive. You pay for a shirt, hat, or yard sign. Nothing ships.
A fake voter registration warning. A text or email says you aren't registered to vote. It has a link to a fake state voter page. That page collects your personal details.

What the FBI suggests

Be careful with calls, texts, emails, or surveys you didn't expect. Don't give personal information to people you don't know. Don't click unknown links.
Remember that a campaign donation is not an investment. It won't grow, and you won't get it back.
Look up a political committee on the Federal Election Commission website, fec.gov. Some scam committees may still look registered there.
Make sure contact details really belong to the group they claim to be from.
Look up a seller's reviews and complaints on BBB.org before you buy.
Check your voter registration yourself at vote.gov.

Our tip: a calm 3-step habit

Pause. A message that rushes you to give, buy, or "fix" your registration is a reason to slow down. A familiar voice or face can be faked, too.
Check. Type vote.gov or fec.gov into your browser yourself. Don't use the link in the message.
Choose. If you want to give, use a way you looked up on your own. If something feels off, skip it.

Already paid? The FTC says to call your bank or card company right away. Use the number on the back of your card. Gave out your Social Security number? Go to IdentityTheft.gov. Then report it to the FBI at ic3.gov or to your local FBI field office.

Source (checked Oct 19, 2026): FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, "Scammers Exploit 2026 U.S. Midterm Election to Perpetrate Multiple Fraud Schemes" (Oct 15, 2026).

FTC, “What To Do if You Were Scammed,” https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-you-were-scammed (checked Oct 25, 2026).

"Our tip" is LookAgainAI's own guidance. LookAgainAI is educational and can't check real messages or payments. This is not legal advice.

Get the free Clear & Safe 5-Minute Check

Back to Learning library