How to Verify Election-Day Calls, Texts and Videos Amid Rising AI Scams

On November 3, 2026, the United States held its general election, and scammers flooded phone lines, text messages and social‑media videos with AI‑crafted misinformation designed to mislead voters about polling locations, voting methods or line closures. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has classified such AI‑generated voices as “artificial” under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, meaning they are illegal robocalls that can be reported. Voters are urged to verify any voting‑related communication directly with their state or local election office before taking any action or forwarding the message.

Key facts:

1. The day’s scams were reported nationwide, with the New York Attorney General Letitia James warning on October 14 that AI fakes may show no obvious flaws.
2. The FCC’s unanimous ruling treats AI‑cloned voices the same as any prerecorded robocall, allowing complaints to be filed with the agency.
3. Vermont’s Secretary of State emphasized that legitimate political polls never offer prizes or request credit‑card or gift‑card details.
4. A quoted warning from James states, “Today’s AI fakes are far more convincing, and those warning signs may no longer be present.”
5. Voters can report fraudulent posts on the platform where they appear, false voting information to state election offices, and unwanted robocalls to the FCC.

What makes this year’s election‑day scams harder to detect?

In an October 14 press release, the New York Attorney General’s office explained that advances in generative AI have eliminated many of the visual and audio glitches that previously gave fake messages away. While older advice suggested looking for blurry edges, robotic tones or misspelled words, a clean‑looking video or a perfectly natural‑sounding voice can still be fabricated. The recommendation now focuses on confirming the source rather than the appearance.

Which five checks should voters perform before reacting to any election message?

1. Visit the official source yourself. Use the website of your state or local election office to confirm polling times and locations; never click a link in a text.
2. Avoid AI chatbots for election queries. Letitia James explicitly told voters not to rely on chatbots, which may provide outdated or inaccurate local details.
3. Hang up and call back. If a caller claims your polling place has changed, end the call, locate the official election office number on its website, and call back.
4. Pause before sharing shocking content. Videos or audio that provoke anger, fear or surprise should be held until a trusted source verifies them.
5. Never pay to vote. Voting is free; any poll promising prizes or demanding a credit‑card or gift‑card number is fraudulent, as reiterated by the Vermont Secretary of State.

What does the law say about AI‑generated robocalls?

The FCC’s decision means that any call using an AI‑synthesized voice falls under the same regulations as traditional prerecorded robocalls. Consumers can file complaints through the FCC’s online portal, and violators may face enforcement actions.

Where should you report a fake election message?

• Fake posts or videos: Use the reporting tools built into the app or platform where you saw the content.
• Incorrect voting information: Contact your state or local election office; many states also accept reports via the attorney general’s office (New York’s hotline: 866‑390‑2992).
• Robocalls: Submit a complaint to the FCC.

By taking a two‑minute moment to verify the source, voters can avoid being misdirected, deterred from voting, or tricked into handing over money.

For further guidance on spotting AI scams, see TechCity’s guide on voice‑cloning threats, and for advice on discussing scams with family members, refer to their parental‑talk tips.