Edited by Omer Aktas
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Beginner rule: Use AI as a patient helper, not as the final authority. Keep private details out, slow down before clicking, and check important information through official sources.
Short answer
How to check messages promising energy rebates, solar refunds, or utility credits.
Why this scam works
Rebate scams mix good news with urgency. AI can make a message sound calm, official, personal, or urgent. That means spelling mistakes are no longer enough to identify a scam.
A simple everyday example
A text says you qualify for an energy rebate but must act before midnight.
First safe prompt
“Review this energy rebate message. List warning signs and safe verification steps.”
Beginner rule
Slow down before clicking, paying, replying, downloading, scanning a QR code, or sharing a verification code. Urgency is often part of the trick.
What to check first
Check the sender, the link, the account name, the payment method, the phone number, and whether the request can be verified through a website or number you already know.
Useful examples
Use AI to list red flags, rewrite a message in simpler words, make a verification checklist, or prepare what to say when calling the official company yourself.
Safety note
Do not enter bank details or pay fees through a surprise rebate link.