After the midterms: fake donation texts, "recount" appeals and survey scams to ignore
The November 3 midterms are over, but the texts asking for money aren't. The FBI warned in October about fake PACs, fake fundraising and election phishing. Here's how to spot them and stop the messages.
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What's happening
Election Day was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The flood of political texts doesn't stop when the polls close. Campaigns keep fundraising to pay off debts, and scammers know people are used to seeing urgent appeals for money.
On October 15, 2026, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) issued a public service announcement titled "Scammers Exploit 2026 U.S. Midterm Election to Perpetrate Multiple Fraud Schemes." It warned that criminals impersonate candidates, campaigns and government agencies, and use AI-generated voices, images and messages to look believable. Those tricks don't expire after the vote.
At a glance
- Fake PACs: you think you're giving to a real political committee, but the scammers keep the money.
- "Campaign investment pools": promises of returns if a candidate wins. The FBI says donations are not investments and aren't refunded.
- Fake merchandise: political goods that are paid for and never sent.
- Phishing texts: links to fake official pages that collect your personal details.
- Report: forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM) and report fraud at ic3.gov or ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
The post-election versions to watch for
"Recount" or "legal fund" appeals. After close races, you may get texts saying a candidate needs money for a recount or legal challenge, with a short deadline. Some are real campaign appeals. Others use a candidate's name and photo to send you to a payment page the campaign doesn't control. The FBI advises checking a committee's registration and financial filings on the Federal Election Commission (FEC) website before you give. It says high fundraising or administrative costs can be a warning sign.
"Your vote wasn't counted" or registration problems. The FBI describes texts and emails saying you aren't registered, with a link to a fake state registration page. After an election, the same trick can claim there's a problem with your ballot. Check your status at vote.gov or your state election office instead.
Surveys with a prize. The FBI advises caution with unsolicited calls, texts, emails or surveys. A "survey" that ends with a reward and a request for card details for "shipping" is a scam.
What the rules say about political texts
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) says political texts sent to cell phones by autodialer need your prior express consent. Texts sent manually, one at a time, don't. When consent is needed, you can withdraw it in any reasonable way, including replying STOP, and senders must honor that within 10 business days. Only reply STOP to a sender you recognize. The FBI notes that scam messages can use fake unsubscribe options to check your number is live.
A worked example
This is an illustration, not a real case.
Two days after the election, Sam gets a text: "Race too close to call. Rush $25 to the Recount Defense Fund before midnight." The link opens a page with the candidate's photo. A box already ticked says "make this monthly." Sam pays $25. By March, with four more monthly charges, he's lost $125, and the "fund" doesn't appear in any FEC filing. Because he paid by credit card, he can dispute the charges with his card issuer and report the site to IC3.
What to do now
- Don't click donation links in texts. Go to the candidate's or party's official website yourself.
- Look up the committee on the FEC website before you give.
- Watch for pre-ticked recurring boxes and untick them before paying.
- Forward scam texts to 7726 and use your phone's report junk option.
- Check your bank and card statements for repeat charges, and dispute ones you didn't agree to.
- Report fraud at ic3.gov and ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If you entered personal details, go to IdentityTheft.gov.
Questions
Can I get a refund on a political donation?
The FBI says campaign donations aren't refunded like purchases. If the payment went to a scam or was charged without your agreement, dispute it with your card issuer.
How did they get my number?
Political groups buy and share lists, and scammers send texts to random numbers. A text using your name doesn't mean it's real.
Will the texts stop now the election is over?
They usually slow down, but fundraising continues. Replying STOP to known senders and filtering unknown senders helps.
Ways to save
If spam texts are a reason to rethink your phone plan, compare prepaid options. Promo Magpie lists offers from Twigby and Boost Mobile.
Sources: FBI IC3, October 15, 2026: Scammers Exploit 2026 U.S. Midterm Election, FBI IC3, October 15, 2026: Election crimes, FCC: Political campaign robocalls and robotexts rules, FTC: How to recognize and report spam text messages, FEC: campaign finance data
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