Guides › Stay private and safe
BeginnerStay safe with AI: the basics
After this you'll be able to:
- know what never to type into AI
- spot a voice-clone scam call
- avoid fake AI apps and subscriptions
Never type these into an AI chat
- Passwords, PINs and one-time codes
- Bank or card numbers
- Social Security, SIN or health card numbers
- Anything you wouldn't want a stranger to read
It's fine to ask about health or money in general terms. Leave out the ID numbers.
Voice-clone scams
Scammers can copy a family member's voice from a short clip and call asking for money. The FTC's advice: don't trust the voice. Hang up and call back on a number you know. 1 A family code word helps.
Fake AI apps
Download only from the real company and pay on its own website. xAI says anything not bought from its official website is unauthorized. 2
Got a suspicious call or message?
- Stop. Don't pay, and don't share codes.
- Call the person or company back on a number you already have.
- Report it: in Canada to the 3; in the US at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Prompt: is this a scam?
Here's a message I got: [paste, with names and numbers removed]. What are the warning signs, and what should I do? Be direct.