BOSTON — The FBI has issued a warning about an ongoing scam involving fake text messages and voice calls impersonating senior U.S. officials.
The scam, which combines “smishing” (SMS phishing) and “vishing” (voice phishing), uses artificial intelligence to create convincing impersonations of government officials.
According to the FBI, scammers build trust through AI-generated voices and texts before sending links that move victims to other platforms.
These links can steal login information or compromise accounts, which are then used to target others.
Law enforcement officials warn that these scams mimic spear phishing techniques, which target victims through deceptive communications.
The FBI recommends verifying identities independently and checking for red flags such as spelling errors, grammar mistakes, or slight changes in contact information.
Other warning signs include fake photos, AI voice glitches, distorted visuals, or unnatural speech patterns.
To protect themselves, individuals should enable two-factor authentication on all accounts and never share authentication codes with others.
Setting up a family “safe word” to verify identity in urgent messages is also recommended as an additional security measure.
The FBI advises against clicking links, downloading files, or responding to unknown senders, and warns never to send money or share personal information without confirming the request.
Those targeted by these scams should report incidents at www.ic3.gov or contact their local FBI Field Office.
