Fake PAC or campaign donation page (ScamPAC)
Scammers use a candidate's name, image, logo, or slogan to collect 'donations' for a political action committee or campaign they have no tie to. They keep the money, and AI-generated voices or images can make the pitch look even more real.
How it works
You may see a social media ad, a video, or a message asking you to donate to a candidate, a party, or a PAC. The branding looks familiar. In a ScamPAC, the group is not actually affiliated with the committee it pretends to represent, or it spends so much on fundraising and overhead that little reaches any real campaign purpose. The FBI warned in October 2026 that AI tools now help scammers copy candidates, campaigns, and trusted groups. Before you give, check the committee on the Federal Election Commission website, and be cautious of groups that report very high fundraising or consulting costs.
Red flags
- An ad or social post uses a candidate's face, logo, or slogan to solicit money.
- You cannot confirm a clear tie to the official campaign or a known PAC.
- The pitch is urgent, emotional, or arrives from an unexpected account.
- A PAC's public filings show very high fundraising or administrative costs compared with other spending.
What to do
- Donate only through a campaign or committee site you confirmed yourself.
- Review committee registration and filings on the FEC website if you are unsure.
- Do not give personal information to an unsolicited donation page.
- Report the page to the platform, at ic3.gov, and at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Where to report it
- reportfraud.ftc.gov — the FTC's report form.
- ic3.gov — the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.