2026 Midterm Election Scam Checklist: 4 Schemes to Watch Out For 

With the US midterm elections approaching on November 3, 2026, scammers may use election-related messages and fundraising appeals to trick people into handing over money or personal information.

The FBI recently issued a warning about four fraud schemes that could exploit the elections, including fake campaign investment opportunities, fraudulent political donations, merchandise scams, and voter registration messages. It also warned that AI-generated voices, images, and messages can make impersonation harder to detect.

Before you donate, purchase election merchandise, or share personal details, use this election scam checklist to recognise the warning signs and verify suspicious requests.

2026 Election Scam Checklist: 4 Warning Signs to Know

Scam type	Main warning sign	What to do
Campaign investment pool	Promises of guaranteed returns on campaign contributions	Avoid offers promising financial returns. Campaign donations are not investments
Fake PAC donations	Donation requests from senders whose committee affiliation you cannot verify	Check the committee’s registration and financial filings on FEC.gov
Election merchandise fraud	Political merchandise advertised by unfamiliar sellers	Research the seller and check reviews and complaints on BBB.org
Fake voter registration	Texts or emails claiming you are not registered to vote, with a link	Avoid suspicious links and check your registration independently through Vote.gov

4 Election Scams the FBI Is Warning About in 2026

Election scams can take several forms, and some are harder to recognise than others. Here is how to spot them and protect yourself:

1. Campaign Investment Pool Scams

Scammers promote fake investment pools that supposedly use campaign contributions to generate financial returns. They promise investors a guaranteed payout if a particular candidate wins the election.

Victims may also be encouraged to recruit others into the pool to increase their share of the promised payout. However, campaign contributions are donations. They do not earn returns or increase in value based on election results.

Illustrative scam message:

“Contribute $100 to our campaign investment pool and receive a guaranteed payout after the election.”

How to protect yourself:

• Reject offers promising guaranteed returns on campaign contributions.
• Do not join schemes that reward you for recruiting other contributors.
• Never send money to an election-related investment pool, regardless of the promised payout.
  

2. Fake Political Action Committee (ScamPAC) Donations

Scammers pose as legitimate political action committees (PACs), Super PACs, or campaign committees to collect donations. They may use familiar names, logos, or campaign messaging to appear credible, even though they have no affiliation with the organisation they claim to represent.

A committee’s registration is not enough to establish legitimacy. The FBI warns that some ScamPACs may appear registered with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Committees reporting unusually high expenses for fundraising, consulting, compliance, or administration may warrant closer scrutiny.

Illustrative scam message:

“We are collecting donations for a registered PAC. Send your contribution to this personal payment account today.”

How to protect yourself:

• Look up the committee on FEC.gov and examine its registration and financial filings.
• Check how the committee spends its funds, particularly on fundraising and administrative expenses.
• Confirm that the sender’s contact details belong to the organisation they claim to represent.
• Avoid making donations through links you cannot independently verify.
  

3. Fake Election Merchandise Stores

Scammers advertise political merchandise, collect payments, and never deliver the products. The FBI identifies these transactions as non-delivery fraud, a form of online shopping scam.

Fraudulent sellers may use campaign names, slogans, images, or logos to make their offers appear legitimate. Before ordering merchandise from an unfamiliar retailer, check whether the business has a credible reputation, clear contact information, and reasonable purchase terms.

Illustrative scam message:

“Limited-edition election merchandise available today. Pay by gift card to secure your order.”

How to protect yourself:

• Search for independent reviews and customer complaints about unfamiliar sellers.
• Check the retailer’s reputation through BBB.org.
• Review the seller’s contact details, shipping information, and refund policy before paying.
• Pay by credit card where possible, as it provides dispute protections if merchandise never arrives. Be wary of sellers demanding gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
  

4. Fake Voter Registration Messages

Scammers send texts or emails claiming that recipients are not registered to vote in their state. The messages encourage them to click a link to update their registration information.

However, the link leads to a fraudulent website designed to imitate a state voter registration page. Any personal information submitted may be stolen and used for identity theft or further fraudulent activity.

Illustrative scam message:

“Our records show you are not registered to vote. Update your information before the deadline using the link below.”

How to protect yourself:

• Avoid clicking registration links in unexpected texts or emails.
• Visit Vote.gov to find your state’s official voter registration website and check your status.
• Check website addresses carefully before entering personal information.
• Never assume a registration message is genuine simply because it uses official-looking language or government imagery.

Note: The four scam messages above are fictional examples created to illustrate the schemes described in the FBI advisory. They are not actual messages documented by the FBI.

What to Do If You Fall for an Election Scam

If you have sent money or shared personal information with a suspected scammer, acting quickly can help limit the damage. The steps you should take depend on what was compromised.

If You Sent Money to a Scammer

Contact your bank, card issuer, or payment provider immediately to report the fraudulent transaction and ask whether it can be reversed or disputed. Recovery options depend on how you paid.

Keep any receipts, payment confirmations, and messages exchanged with the scammer. Be wary of anyone offering to recover your money for an upfront fee. You can also follow the FTC’s scam recovery guidance for payment-specific instructions.

If You Shared Personal Information

Identify what information you disclosed, such as your name, address, date of birth, or Social Security number. Visit IdentityTheft.gov for recovery steps based on the information exposed.

If your Social Security number was compromised, consider freezing your credit with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Keep an eye on your financial accounts and credit reports for any unfamiliar activity.

If You Entered Login Credentials on a Fake Website

Change the affected account’s password immediately, along with passwords on any other accounts where you used the same credentials. Enable two-factor authentication and review your account activity for unfamiliar logins or changes to security settings.

If you can no longer access the account, use the service’s official account recovery process to regain control.

How to Report an Election Scam to the FBI

If you encounter a suspected election scam, report it to the FBI through its Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) or contact your local FBI field office.

Include as much information as possible about the person or organisation that contacted you, including names, phone numbers, addresses, email addresses, and websites. If money was involved, provide the transaction details and payment method.

Explain how the scammer approached you, what they asked you to do, and whether you shared any information or sent money. Keep copies of suspicious messages, screenshots, and payment receipts, as these may help support your report.

Frequently Asked Questions