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FBI Warns OF Rise In Scam Texts Impersonating U.S. Officials

• Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
• Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager

The FBI confirms a 700% rise in scam texts impersonating officials, urging users to delete messages.

In a rush? Here are the quick facts:

• Scam texts surged over 700% in early June targeting U.S. smartphone users.
• FBI confirms scammers impersonate senior U.S. officials using text and AI voice messages.
• Resecurity warns one actor can send 2 million scam texts daily.

The FBI has released a national warning about increasing fraudulent text and voice messages that target smartphone users, instructing them to remove any suspicious messages, particularly those that pretend to be from government agencies.

The new wave of scams uses AI voice synthesis together with SMS “smishing” techniques to create fake senior U.S. official impersonations for stealing sensitive data and installing malware.

The number of scams has increased by more than 700% since April 2025, as scammers use fake DMV agencies, senior government officials, and made-up department impersonations, as reported by Forbes .

The FBI took action because DMV-themed scam texts increased by 773% during early June, as noted by Forbes. The fake websites in these messages require users to provide credit card details while simultaneously spreading malicious software.

Supervisory Special Agent David Palmer of FBI Tennessee confirmed that cybercriminals behind unpaid toll scams have “pivoted to the DMV scam,” stating that clicking links can “put malware on your phone […] steal information from your device, or collect your payment information,” as reported by WREG .

The FBI reports that AI-generated “vishing” calls impersonate U.S. officials to gain access to personal accounts through a parallel scamming operation. The initial part of these attacks requires victims to move to different platforms before scammers obtain sensitive information or malicious files from victims.

The messages contain specific targeting features, which include stolen images, deepfake audio, and names that have minor modifications to create a believable impression.

Forbes reports that security analysts predict that one threat actor can distribute 2 million scam messages daily, which would reach every American at least twice throughout the year.

The FBI recommends users check the authenticity of unfamiliar contacts, refrain from following suspicious links, and maintain the secrecy of two-factor authentication codes.

“If you don’t know who [a text] is from, don’t click the link,” Palmer emphasized, as reported by Forbes. For safety, users should report suspicious messages and confirm official contacts independently.

Photo by Claudio Schwarz on Unsplash

Scientists Develop Electronic Skin to Give Robots Human Touch

• Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
• Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager

Scientists from the University of Cambridge and University College London (UCL) have developed a sensitive electronic “skin” for robots. This robotic tissue has been tested as a robotic hand, allowing machines to detect information through sensors and emulate the human sense of touch.

In a rush? Here are the quick facts:

• Scientists from Cambridge University and the University College London developed an electronic “skin” for robots.
• The robotic skin can detect signals from over 860,000 pathways.
• The researchers still need to work on improvements, but they expect to carry on more tests for real-world experiences soon.

According to the University of Cambridge , the technology is not yet as sensitive as human skin, but it allows robots to interact in new ways and detect different types of touch. Through its sensors, the robotic skin can detect signals from over 860,000 pathways and recognize different levels of pressure, hot or cold surfaces, or “damage” from stabbing or cutting, and the impact on its surface.

The robotic skin can also “learn,” as it integrates a machine learning system to recognize and detect patterns more efficiently. The researchers also focused on developing a conductive and flexible material that is both durable and low-cost.

“Having different sensors for different types of touch leads to materials that are complex to make,” said lead author Dr David Hardman from Cambridge’s Department of Engineering. “We wanted to develop a solution that can detect multiple types of touch at once, but in a single material.”

The scientists melted a flexible and “electrically conductive gelatine-based hydrogel,” testing different configurations until they found the most efficient one.

“We’re not quite at the level where the robotic skin is as good as human skin, but we think it’s better than anything else out there at the moment,” said co-author Dr Thomas George Thuruthel from UCL. “Our method is flexible and easier to build than traditional sensors, and we’re able to calibrate it using human touch for a range of tasks.”

The researchers still need to work on improvements, like the skin’s durability, but they expect to carry on more tests for real-world experiences in the near future. They believe the robotic skin can be useful in multiple industries and fields, including prosthetics, the automotive industry, robotic surgery, and space exploration.

Advances in robotics aimed at developing technologies that approach human capabilities have made great strides in 2025. Recently, the first global robot kickboxing competition was held, showcasing these machines’ ability to maintain balance and coordinate movements like humans. There was also the first robot half-marathon . Human biology remains superior, but technological developments are bringing robots closer to human abilities every day.