Using AI Safely
Here’s the secret nobody tells you: the scams aren’t new. They’re the same cons that came over the phone in 1979 and through the mail slot before that — the fake prize, the fake emergency, the stranger in a hurry. New wires, same snake oil. You’ve been hanging up on these people your whole life. You already have the instincts; this page just updates the field guide.
Six habits of confident AI users
- Trust, then verify. AI can be confidently wrong. For health, money, or legal questions, treat its answer as a well-read friend’s opinion — a great head start, not the final word.
- Keep the private numbers private. Social Security, Medicare, bank accounts, passwords: an AI tool never needs them, and neither does anyone who calls you out of the blue.
- Know that voices can be faked. A recording that sounds exactly like your grandson can be counterfeit. Agree on a family code word — like the password to the clubhouse, but for grown-ups. No code word, no money, no exceptions.
- Slow the conversation down. Every real deal will still be there after you hang up and call back on a number you looked up. Urgency is the con’s whole engine — take the keys away.
- Remember what real organizations never do. The IRS, your bank, and Medicare do not call demanding gift cards, wire transfers, or crypto. That’s not how any of this works — and it never was.
- When in doubt, ask a neighbor. Call us at (575) 555-0100. No question is too small, and you will never hear “you should have known better” from us.
If it smells like a chain letter, treat it like a chain letter
Pressure + secrecy + unusual payment = scam. Anyone who says “act now,” “don’t tell your family,” or “pay with gift cards” is running a con, no matter how official they sound or how much they seem to know about you. Hang up, then call someone you trust.
Already had a run-in? Nothing to be ashamed of — these cons have fooled bank managers and engineers. Go straight to If Something Feels Wrong for exactly what to do next.
Why this page isn’t at the top of the menu
Because fear is a lousy teacher. The best protection is confidence: people who use these tools regularly develop a feel for what’s genuine, the same way you can spot a counterfeit sales pitch from the first sentence. Learn the good stuff first; the safety habits ride along.