“I Didn’t Know It Was a Scam Until I Asked ChatGPT”

“I Didn’t Know It Was a Scam Until I Asked ChatGPT”

How AI Helped Me Protect scam.
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Not long ago, I came across a listing for my children’s book about kimchi on an unfamiliar e-commerce platform. At first, I felt confused. I had only ever published this book through Amazon KDP. So what was it doing there?
Was this unauthorized?
Was it part of a legitimate distribution chain?
Or was someone selling my content without permission?
It was hard to tell. I didn’t want to jump to conclusions—but I also didn’t want to ignore it.
That’s when I decided to ask ChatGPT.

Why Ask ChatGPT?In the past, I would have spent hours Googling, scrolling forums, and trying to guess whether or not it was a scam. But now, I have a simple approach:
When in doubt, ask ChatGPT first.
What makes this powerful is that ChatGPT doesn’t just give vague answers. It breaks down the issue logically, citing similar cases, offering legal context, and even suggesting how to respond—all based on the question you ask.

How ChatGPT Helped Me Identify a ScamMy question was simple:
“My book is being sold on a site where I never published it. Is this a scam?”
Here’s what ChatGPT told me to look for:

1. Check the ISBN or publishing info – If the book has an ISBN, it should match the one I used in KDP. If not, something’s off.
2. Investigate the seller – If the seller offers many other suspicious listings or unknown books, red flag.
3. Permission & copyright – If I never authorized this sale, it’s likely a copyright violation.
4. Next steps – ChatGPT even explained how to report unauthorized listings and provided example text for the report.

Don’t Judge—Ask FirstPreviously, I would have bounced between two extremes:
“It’s definitely a scam!”
“Maybe it’s fine… I shouldn’t overreact.”
Now I realize how important it is not to make assumptions too early. The smarter move?

Don’t jump to conclusions—just submit the query.

ChatGPT doesn't claim to know everything, but it does help you think clearly, structure your questions, and examine evidence before reacting.

ChatGPT Helped Me Take ActionWhat impressed me most was that ChatGPT didn’t stop at identifying the issue—it also helped me take the next steps. It generated:

• A professional takedown message
• Guidelines for reporting copyright violations
• A checklist for DMCA submission if needed

This gave me the confidence to act quickly and responsibly. Without it, I might have hesitated—or not acted at all.

 Final ThoughtsAI isn’t just a search engine. When used well, it becomes a thinking partner—a guide that helps you ask smarter questions, see warning signs clearly, and respond with purpose.
If you ever find yourself asking, “Is this a scam?”, don’t let uncertainty slow you down.
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Just ask ChatGPT.
It might give you the clarity you didn’t know you needed.

Got a Suspicious Email or Message?

Don’t guess—just copy and paste it into ChatGPT.

In today’s digital world, we come across questionable content all the time.
A strange email from an unknown address, an unbelievably cheap product link, a message claiming your account has been suspended, or a “guaranteed income” ad that seems too good to be true.
Most people respond in one of two ways:

1. Ignore it and move on
2. Try Googling bits and pieces, hoping to find a similar case

But here’s the method I’ve found most effective:
Copy the full message or content and ask ChatGPT directly.

How Do I Use ChatGPT for Scam Checks?Let’s say you receive this kind of email:
"We noticed suspicious activity on your account. Please verify your information immediately by clicking the link below."
[suspicious-verify-center.com/login]
Instead of panicking or ignoring it, just ask ChatGPT:
“I received this email. Is it a scam?”
(Then paste the full message.)

ChatGPT will help you break it down. For example, it may point out:

• The use of urgent, fear-based language typical of phishing scams
• The suspicious domain name (not matching any official service)
• Signs that the message format or grammar is unprofessional
• The fact that legitimate companies don’t request sensitive data this way

In short, it doesn’t just say yes or no—it explains why something is suspicious and gives you tools to assess it yourself.

Screenshots Work Too

You’re not limited to text. If you receive a suspicious message via social media, a sketchy online shop, or a strange SMS, take a screenshot and upload it.
You can ask:
“Is this image from a scam site?”
(Attach the screenshot)

ChatGPT can analyze visual elements like:

• Fake security seals
• Poorly copied logos
• Common scam layout patterns
• Odd wording or low-resolution design

It’s like having an extra set of trained eyes reviewing everything with you.

The Rule: Don’t Assume—Ask.Scams are getting smarter, more personalized, and harder to recognize.
That’s why it’s more important than ever not to rely on gut instinct alone.

So here’s your new rule:
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Don’t assume. Don’t react. Just ask.

• Copy the content exactly as it is
• Paste it into ChatGPT
• Let the AI help you analyze it before you act

AI isn’t just a search engine—it’s your decision-making partner.
So next time you hesitate, don’t ignore your instinct.
Just run it by ChatGPT—and move forward with clarity.