Midterm pitches that sell donations, merchandise, or fake voter pages
FBI Internet Crime Complaint CenterNationwide
On October 15, 2026, the FBI warned that scammers may use the 2026 U.S. midterm election to solicit money and personal information. The public service announcement, an update of a 2024 election alert, says schemes can use candidate names, images, logos, and slogans, and that artificial intelligence is being used to imitate voices, pictures, and writing from candidates, campaigns, government offices, and people you know.
The FBI described four patterns: a campaign investment pool that promises a payout if a candidate wins and encourages you to recruit others; donations to a political committee the solicitor does not actually represent; political merchandise that is never shipped; and texts or emails saying you are not registered to vote, with a link to a fake state registration page.
Red flags
- Someone promises that a campaign contribution will grow in value or be paid back after election day.
- A text or email says you are not registered and pushes a link to fix it.
- A seller offers campaign merchandise and then does not ship the order.
- A voice, image, or message looks like a candidate or a trusted contact but arrived out of the blue and asks for money or personal details.
How to protect yourself
- Do not give personal information to an unexpected caller, texter, or email, and do not open unknown links.
- Treat campaign donations as contributions, not investments. The FBI says they will not increase in value or be returned.
- Check committee registrations and filings on the Federal Election Commission site at fec.gov The FBI notes that some scam committees may still appear registered, and that high spending on fundraising and overhead can be a warning.
- Confirm voter registration at vote.gov and research unfamiliar sellers on bbb.org before you pay.
If you are hit
- Report it to your local FBI field office or at ic3.gov
- Include the name used, phone numbers, addresses, email addresses, websites, how you were contacted, what you were told, and how any payment was made.
- If a link asked for personal details, also start at identitytheft.gov
Questions
Is Midterm pitches that sell donations, merchandise, or fake voter pages a scam?
On October 15, 2026, the FBI warned that scammers may use the 2026 U.S. midterm election to solicit money and personal information. The public service announcement, an update of a 2024 election alert, says schemes can use candidate names, images, logos, and slogans, and that artificial intelligence is being used to imitate voices, pictures, and writing from candidates, campaigns, government offices, and people you know. This page summarizes a public warning from FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center dated October 15, 2026. The linked source is the record.
What should I do if I fell for it?
Report it to your local FBI field office or at https://www.ic3.gov. Include the name used, phone numbers, addresses, email addresses, websites, how you were contacted, what you were told, and how any payment was made. If a link asked for personal details, also start at https://www.identitytheft.gov.
Sources
- Scammers Exploit 2026 U.S. Midterm Election to Perpetrate Multiple Fraud SchemesFBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
This summary is informational and not legal advice. If it and the linked source disagree, follow the source.
Related alerts
- Callers pretending the FTC will shut off your phone numberOctober 22, 2026
- Calls from fake officers demanding payment to clear a crimeSeptember 17, 2026
- Fake IC3 agents who say they can get stolen money backJuly 20, 2026
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This alert is one page on Consumer Shield Daily. The main site publishes the wider consumer brief.
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