The FBI says scammers are using smishing and AI-generated voice messages that impersonate senior U.S. officials to gain trust. The agency urges recipients to verify the sender independently before clicking any links or moving to new platforms.

The FBI has issued a cyber alert warning the public about a malicious messaging campaign in which criminals impersonate senior U.S. officials. The scheme uses text-based smishing and AI-generated voice messages to make contact appear legitimate and authoritative. Once a target is drawn in, the messaging is designed to drive victims toward malicious links, fake requests, or next-step instructions that can lead to account compromise and follow-on fraud. The FBI’s guidance focuses on slowing down the interaction long enough to confirm legitimacy. Recipients are encouraged not to click embedded links or respond to instructions from the message until the sender can be independently verified through trusted channels. The alert also underscores that impersonation tactics are evolving with generative AI, making voices and narratives more convincing. For individuals and organizations, the practical takeaway is to treat urgent or authoritative messages as suspicious by default, validate through known contacts, and implement secure reporting and verification procedures. If a suspicious message was opened or links were clicked, the FBI recommends taking appropriate steps and reporting suspected activity.