This week, cybercriminals are using artificial intelligence (AI) to impersonate senior U.S. government officials in a new phishing scam designed to steal your personal information.

You may receive a text message or voice call from someone claiming to be a high-ranking government figure. They’ll sound friendly and convincing—because their message was crafted using AI to appear trustworthy.

But it’s a trap.

After building rapport, the scammer will ask you to switch to another messaging app. They’ll send you a link, supposedly to that app, but in reality, the link is malicious. Clicking it could install malware or give criminals access to your sensitive data.

How to Protect Yourself

• Be cautious of unsolicited messages from people claiming to be government officials or authority figures.

• Don’t trust strangers who try to move conversations to different messaging platforms. This is a common tactic to avoid detection.

• Never click on links from unknown sources. If something seems off, verify the information through official government websites or contacts.

• Even if the message sounds friendly or official, remember that AI tools can make scams sound incredibly real.

This particular scam is based in the United States, but similar tactics could be used worldwide. Always stay alert and think twice before clicking.