We have observed a surge in sophisticated spam accounts using AI to bypass traditional filters. Please be vigilant regarding the following patterns:
The “Expert Advice” Trap: Users posting detailed requests for “Best [Device Type]” or “Expert Recommendations” that sound helpful or inquisitive but are designed to prime a thread for links.
The “Slow-Burn” Edit: Spammers are posting legitimate-looking comments and returning days later to edit in suspicious or malicious links once the initial oversight period has passed.
AI-Generated Tone: Be wary of overly formal, repetitive, or slightly “off” language that mimics human helpfulness but lacks specific community context.
How to Stay Safe:
Hover before clicking: Always check the destination URL of any link.
Report Suspicious Edits: If you see an old post suddenly updated with commercial links, use the Report button immediately.
Verify Recommendations: Only trust links from established community members with a proven posting history.
To report ongoing issues or learn more about online safety, you can visit the Federal Trade Commission’s guide on spotting scams.
> create a warning for the Forum users about Spammers using AI and asking for Best-Device Type and Expert recommendations requested suspicious links (even sometimes adding the links after days)
Going to link to this post when I think is is a suspicious topic/post.
Please do not react in that topic regarding my link, unless you are the Topic Starter and a legitimate Homey user but then PM me with some info only a Human with a Homey can provide.
If you also think the topic or post I reply on is Spam and should be removed like my post/reply in that topic.
(And when answering a post from a malicious intent, what can happen and isn’t forbidden, but you may help them get clicks/earn affiliate money/ get hot links etc… )
or even use redirect services that stop functioning (maybe abused?)
Edit: and to put in perspective, I found this kind of links followed ~50 times or more by members in posts slipped through that existed more than half a year.
Excuses from the Discourse AI that put you the new user on pause, for typing to fast or using to many links etc… AI is not perfect ( )
usually we (the Human moderators) release you within hours or a day max. pls be patient.
The two or three India or Pakistan based a day are most easy. Special if they start with links or phone numbers. Then we see a couple using VPN from USA or some Europe countries.
Some legitimate users create a post offline, then register and paste… they are blocked by help of AI to be released by moderators.
But we need to decide if it is a potential spammer or not.
ATTENTION COMMUNITY: New AI-Assisted Spam Tactics
my post/reply in that topic.
)
hahahahahaha but for real though. Why are there bots in a SMART HOME community.
