FBI and CISA warn of AI-driven cyber threats ahead of US midterms

The FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have issued a joint warning regarding potential AI-powered cyberattacks ahead of the November 2026 US midterm elections. Federal agencies are urging election officials, political candidates, and the public to remain vigilant against sophisticated phishing scams that use artificial intelligence to create deceptive emails and text messages. These attacks aim to impersonate legitimate election authorities or political campaigns to steal passwords and sensitive personal information.

Beyond digital impersonation, the FBI highlighted several specific fraudulent schemes. These include campaign investment pool scams, where victims are promised returns on donations, and fake Political Action Committees (PACs) that collect funds without forwarding them to candidates. Additionally, scammers may use deepfake technology to imitate the likenesses of officials or engage in non-delivery scams involving political merchandise. The agencies emphasized that no genuine campaign donations are designed to appreciate in value over time.