The FBI is sounding the alarm after uncovering a new text message scam targeting Americans by impersonating senior U.S. officials.
According to a bureau advisory released this week, malicious actors are sending fraudulent texts that appear to come from current or former high-ranking government figures.
The messages are designed to lure victims into responding before moving the conversation onto encrypted platforms like Signal, WhatsApp, or Telegram.
“If you receive a message claiming to be from a current or former senior U.S. official, do not assume it is authentic,” the FBI warned.
The bureau said the scam often begins with a simple text but escalates quickly once contact is made.
Investigators say the goal is to steal sensitive personal information, authentication codes, passwords, or even money.
In some cases, scammers go as far as proposing meetings with top officials to build credibility.
The FBI said victims are pressured into sharing login codes that allow criminals to sync devices and access contact lists.
“This tactic enables further exploitation of personal networks and sensitive data,” the advisory stated.
Officials also warned that artificial intelligence is making these scams harder to detect.
Fake photos, voice messages, videos, and even websites are now being used to make the messages appear legitimate.
The FBI stressed that recipients should never verify identity by responding directly to the message, per Forbes.
“Before responding, independently confirm the sender’s identity using a trusted source,” the bureau advised.
The warning follows a similar alert issued earlier this year after an increase in impersonation attempts.
The FBI emphasized that no legitimate government official will request sensitive information through unsolicited texts.
Americans are being urged not to click links, open attachments, send money, or download any files tied to these messages.
“Do not share personal information, do not wire funds, and do not provide authentication codes,” the FBI said.
The bureau also recommended enabling multi factor authentication on email, banking, and critical accounts.
In addition, officials encouraged families to establish private passphrases to verify legitimate communications.
The FBI said these scams are not random and often target individuals with public profiles or professional influence.
However, authorities cautioned that anyone can be targeted, regardless of status or background.
The bureau urged anyone who receives suspicious messages to report them to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
“Vigilance is the best defense,” officials said.
As scammers grow more sophisticated, the FBI says public awareness remains critical to stopping these schemes before damage is done.
