FBI Warns of New Cell Phone Scam

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FBI Warns of New Cell Phone Scam

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The FBI has issued an advisory to all cell phone users warning them against what it calls an “ongoing malicious text and voice messaging campaign.”

In a Public Service Announcement this month, the FBI warned of “malicious actors” that have been impersonating senior US officials as part of a scam beginning in April of 2025. The FBI notes that many of those targeted by the scam have been current or former senior U.S. federal or state government officials and their contacts.

The FBI warns that if you do receive a message from someone claiming to be a U.S. official, “do not assume it is authentic.”

“The malicious actors have sent text messages and AI-generated voice messages — techniques known as smishing and vishing, respectively — that claim to come from a senior US official in an effort to establish rapport before gaining access to personal accounts,” the FBI wrote in a

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“One way the actors gain such access is by sending targeted individuals a malicious link under the guise of transitioning to a separate messaging platform. Access to personal or official accounts operated by US officials could be used to target other government officials, or their associates and contacts, by using trusted contact information they obtain. Contact information acquired through social engineering schemes could also be used to impersonate contacts to elicit information or funds,” the FBI’s alert warned.

The FBI offered a few tips for how to spot one of these fake messages:

Verify the identity of the person calling you or sending text or voice messages. Before responding, research the originating number, organization, and/or person purporting to contact you. Then independently identify a phone number for the person and call to verify their authenticity.

Carefully examine the email address; messaging contact information, including phone numbers; URLs; and spelling used in any correspondence or communications. Scammers often use slight differences to deceive you and gain your trust. For instance, actors can incorporate publicly available photographs in text messages, use minor alterations in names and contact information, or use AI-generated voices to masquerade as a known contact.

Look for subtle imperfections in images and videos, such as distorted hands or feet, unrealistic facial features, indistinct or irregular faces, unrealistic accessories such as glasses or jewelry, inaccurate shadows, watermarks, voice call lag time, voice matching, and unnatural movements.

Listen closely to the tone and word choice to distinguish between a legitimate phone call or voice message from a known contact and AI-generated voice cloning, as they can sound nearly identical.

AI-generated content has advanced to the point that it is often difficult to identify. When in doubt about the authenticity of someone wishing to communicate with you, contact your relevant security officials or the FBI for help.

The FBI warns never to share sensitive information with people you have met only online or over the phone. The bureau also warned never to send money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency to someone you do not know, never to click on any links in an email or text message until you independently confirm the sender’s identity, and to be careful what you download onto your devices.

With AI becoming more and more advanced, criminals are increasingly able to make voices and messages sound like someone you may know. The FBI suggests using a secret word or phrase with your family members to verify their identities.

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