The Robots Are Getting Smarter

I think there are probably a lot of really good uses for AI, but like with any technology there are a lot of annoying people out there who have come up with annoying ways to use AI. As someone who manages a few websites I have seen an increase in spam messages to the contact forms on my websites. My contact forms have a simple captcha test to block bots, but I think AI is smart enough to solve these elementary math problems. I may need to resort to photos of motorcycles and bridges and such, though its only a matter of time before the smart robots figure out how to ace those tests as well.

Like any sane person I simply delete the annoying messages, but sometimes I am tempted to write a reply. A lot of them start off with a question that’s just begging for an answer like the one I’ve received a few times that starts off with the clunky question, “Did you know it is possible to send letter absolutely legit and valid?” To which I was tempted to reply, “Why, yes I did. I have sent many legit and valid letters in my life. I had no idea this was a closely guarded secret.” The funny/ironic thing about this message and variations of it is that it offers you the chance to get in on this cutting edge business of sending spam via contact forms.

There’s a lot of spammers out there trying to sell their search engine optimization services. Others swear they love my “content” and can’t wait to hand over money to advertise on my website. A relatively new one is a real estate agent in the United Arab Emirates who wants to sell me a dreamhome. If he only knew that I’m a shoe-in to win the HGTV Dream Home!

One that I just saw for the first time this morning is scammers trying to sell me US postage stamps at bargain prices. As this is an ad that I’ve also seen popping up on various websites, I feel obligated to warn all readers that actual US postage stamps do not ever go on sale. Like so many deals that are too good to be true, this is a capital “S” scam.

Not all scams are as easy to spot as that though. Did you happen to see this news story about the unfortunate employee who ended up paying out $25 million dollars to some scammers? Ouch!

If you’ve ever been taken in by a scam, you’re in good company. I recent read this post by author and technology authority Cory Doctorow who ended up falling for a scam phone call. So, if it can happen to Cory Doctorow, it can happen to anyone.

All I can say is that I hope that karma catches up with these scammers real quick, and in the meantime, be careful out there, friends!

— Alissa