Mixed feelings abound surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI). I am a fan and use it daily to search. I rarely seek an opinion but rather pose questions that I could likely answer myself if I had the time and access to more databases.
This is the story of coming uncomfortably close to being scammed by AI and then being saved by AI from (at the very least) embarrassment and (potentially) financial and reputational harm.
As someone who meets definitions of both
1. “Old and At Risk” – i.e., 79, and
2. “Educated and Should Know Better” – i.e., Having successfully completed 23rd Grade
I offer this cautionary tale:
THE STORY:
As the 2024 author of an underappreciated (and definitely under-selling) book, I was surprised to receive an extremely well-written email via my book’s website. Politely describing my less-than-bestselling effort as “in the early stages of reaching that wider audience,” the writer offered a “brief conversation to share a few ideas on how books like yours often gain traction with the audiences who need them most.” They described themself as one who “works with authors . . . helping position them so they connect more effectively with readers who are actively looking for answers.”
Sucked in with well-written flattering prose, I replied, agreeing to the suggested “brief conversation”. After a second prompt and flattering email offering availability to talk, the words “Perhaps too good to be true” crossed my mind. I searched for the writer on Google and found nothing, so I queried ChatGPT:
MY QUESTION to ChatGPT:
“A writer and their ‘team’ have emailed offering to help me with promoting my book. What can you find about them?”
Milliseconds later came the: “SHORT ANSWER”:
I cannot find any credible, verifiable person or legitimate company behind [this letter writer] doing book promotion—and that’s actually a red flag in itself. What I can find strongly suggests this fits a very common, ongoing scam pattern targeting authors.”
“FINAL ASSESSMENT” by ChatGPT after reviewing the letter.
“If I had to categorize this”:
High likelihood: mass outreach template
High likelihood: paid marketing pitch coming next
Moderate risk: scam or zero-value service
Low likelihood: legitimate, high-quality publicist
The Safest Option is “IGNORE COMPLETELY”
Reference Provided: Anne R. Allen blog on AI book marketing scams
END OF STORY