Got a text saying you're not registered to vote? Check before you click

What the voter registration text looks like

What each red circle means:

• "You’re not registered." That’s the exact hook the FBI described: a text or email saying you’re not registered in your state, with a link (FBI IC3).
• A link to a look-alike site. It goes to a fake state voter registration page (FBI IC3).
• A tight deadline. Pressure to act now is a classic scam sign (FTC).
• Asking for personal info. The FBI says the goal is to steal personal information for identity theft, and to target you for more scams later (FBI IC3).

Is it real?

Treat it as fake until you’ve checked it yourself. The FBI says to be cautious with any unsolicited call, text, email, or survey, and not to click unknown links or give personal info to people you don’t know (FBI IC3). The FBI also warns scammers now use AI to make messages look like they come from candidates, campaigns, and government offices (FBI IC3).

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (FEC). Here’s how to check your registration without the text:

1. Go to vote.gov yourself. Type it into your browser. The FBI recommends it for checking your registration (FBI IC3).
2. Or use USAGov’s lookup. It sends you to your state’s official election website, where you can see if you’re registered (USAGov).
3. Still unsure? The U.S. Election Assistance Commission lists every state’s election office and how to check your status there (EAC).

Registration deadlines and rules are set by each state, so check yours on the official site (EAC).

If you didn’t click

• Don’t reply. Report it as junk or forward it to 7726 (SPAM), then delete it (FTC).
• Check your registration the safe way above, so the worry goes away.

If you clicked or typed in your info

1. Stop and close the page. Don’t enter anything else.
2. If you gave your Social Security number or date of birth, freeze your credit at all three bureaus. It’s free and doesn’t hurt your score (CFPB).
3. Get a recovery plan at IdentityTheft.gov if you think your identity could be misused.
4. If you paid anything or gave a card number, call your card company using the number on the back of your card.
5. Report it to the FBI (see below).

How to report it

• FBI: report election-related scams at IC3.gov or to your local FBI field office. Include who contacted you, the phone number or website, how you paid if you did, and what you were told (FBI IC3).
• FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
• Your carrier: forward the text to 7726 (FTC).

Other election scams the FBI flagged

The same October 15 alert lists a few more (FBI IC3):

• Campaign "investment pools" that promise a payout if a candidate wins. Campaign donations aren’t an investment and won’t be paid back.
• Fake PACs that collect donations and keep the money. You can look up real committees on the Federal Election Commission website.
• Political merchandise that’s paid for and never shipped.

This is the same trick as the unpaid toll text and the USPS redelivery text, just dressed up for election season.

This page is general information, not legal or financial advice. If money already left your account, call your bank or card company first.