I was scammed by AI

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I was scammed by AI (by BRAD 20,000 [IN]) Jan 31, 2026 12:18 PM

I was scammed by AI (by Oreo [WI]) Jan 31, 2026 12:32 PM

I was scammed by AI (by RB [TN]) Jan 31, 2026 12:49 PM

I was scammed by AI (by 6x6 [TN]) Jan 31, 2026 1:19 PM

I was scammed by AI (by plenty [MO]) Jan 31, 2026 2:03 PM

I was scammed by AI (by Lucy [IN]) Jan 31, 2026 2:58 PM

I was scammed by AI (by NE [PA]) Jan 31, 2026 3:02 PM

I was scammed by AI (by WMH [NC]) Jan 31, 2026 3:10 PM

I was scammed by AI (by Lucy [IN]) Jan 31, 2026 3:22 PM

I was scammed by AI (by 6x6 [TN]) Jan 31, 2026 5:12 PM

I was scammed by AI (by DJ [VA]) Jan 31, 2026 5:56 PM

I was scammed by AI (by GKARL [PA]) Jan 31, 2026 6:17 PM

I was scammed by AI (by Ray-N-Pa [PA]) Feb 1, 2026 8:42 AM

I was scammed by AI (by Oregon Woodsmoke [ID]) Feb 1, 2026 12:43 PM

I was scammed by AI (by BRAD 20,000 [IN]) Feb 2, 2026 12:09 AM

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I was scammed by AI (by BRAD 20,000 [IN]) Posted on: Jan 31, 2026 12:18 PM
Message:

Careful out there. It's a new world.

I was cruising Zillow to study the market and came across a property to buy.

I recognized the name of the listing agent so I responded on Zillow TO HIM with my own message to him stating I was interested.

This was late at night and I assumed it would go to his email without disturbing his sleep.

About 2 minutes later I received a reply text from a local number

"Thanks for reaching out! Can I call you in the morning?"

I reply "Yes"

12:30 "Hi Brad, I am currently out of the office but when are you free to talk about 123 Main St?"

2:00 "Hi Brad, wondering if you want to go see 123 Main St. Are you free to talk about getting something set up?"

So I called him and we talked about the home, RE, etc. We both looked at the photos, etc online as we talked. More than I want to spend so probably not worth his time but let me know if anything changes.

6:15 "Still interested in 123 Main St? Or other properties in the area? Let me know how I can help!"

Me (never say never cuz ya never know) "If you want to spend the time I'll do a walkthru around noon."

"Thanks for letting me know. To make sure we connect I'll check in tomorrow at 12:15pm. Please feel free to call me directly if another time works better!"

(He's young, new at RE, and GenZ does not always fully read stuff)

Me "Noon?"

"That is correct. Please feel free to call me directly if another time works better!"

So I ventured out with the 15 inches of snow not fully cleared off the streets. Trudged around in the deep snow eyeing the exterior of the house while waiting for him.

Noon "Just a reminder that I will call you at 12:15. (Smiley face) Does that still work for you?"

Me "At the house now"

(getting suspicious this might be AI)

"Thank you! I'll get you connected to a Zillow Premier Agent partner who can help navigate the home buygin process, answer your question.....blah blah.."

Yup! I've been duped! Snow up to my knees, 0 degrees, not sure I can get out of the driveway.

He does not know it. I could have been pizzed at him.

Zillow continued to text AND CALL me. 4 AI phone calls.

The fun part: I toyed with the AI textbot. It kept asking "How can I help you? Zillow is great..." for 12 more texts.

Me "I like pizza"

"I'm in the shower"

"Another time"

"No another time"

"Wash my car"

"I love u"

"It kept saying various things like "My pleasure. Look forward to speaking to you soon?" "we can set up property tours..."

It stopped after "I love u".

About 10 messages in it said "I'm Alex with Zillow".

I showed this entire thread to my pro realtor and he did not know Zillow was doing this.

The agent's fiance' was my title company closer yesterday so I showed her. She was shocked and realized his reputation was at risk.

Moral of the story: AI is here and telling you stuff. We must learn to discern the legitimacy of source.

Oh, and have fun with it!

BRAD

--68.45.xxx.xxx

I was scammed by AI (by Oreo [WI]) Posted on: Jan 31, 2026 12:32 PM
Message:

Whoa! --216.131.xxx.xx

I was scammed by AI (by RB [TN]) Posted on: Jan 31, 2026 12:49 PM
Message:

Would the real Brad 20,000 please stand up. --204.10.xxx.xx

I was scammed by AI (by 6x6 [TN]) Posted on: Jan 31, 2026 1:19 PM
Message:

But, AI is soooooo wonderful.

When are these companies going to realize that AI is terible at customer service? --73.19.xxx.xx

I was scammed by AI (by plenty [MO]) Posted on: Jan 31, 2026 2:03 PM
Message:

I heard recently that if you hire a vital assistant that it is likely AI. --172.59.xxx.xx

I was scammed by AI (by Lucy [IN]) Posted on: Jan 31, 2026 2:58 PM
Message:

I could definitely see where that could happen, but it's pretty scary. I pretty much hate all the AI "helpers" on sites but you have to start with them to get to a live person but yeah, I would not have expected one to reach out TO you.

I have appreciated some help AI has given to me when I have asked for it. --208.67.xxx.xx

I was scammed by AI (by NE [PA]) Posted on: Jan 31, 2026 3:02 PM
Message:

Just wait until the Ai bots take deposits from you on vacanct houses that aren’t even for sale! --24.152.xxx.xx

I was scammed by AI (by WMH [NC]) Posted on: Jan 31, 2026 3:10 PM
Message:

When I was looking for my apartment AI was a PITA - it was everywhere, and the same system with the same 'name' was used by all of them, so I ended up not knowing who I was talking to and where I had appointments. Terrible. --73.216.xxx.xxx

I was scammed by AI (by Lucy [IN]) Posted on: Jan 31, 2026 3:22 PM
Message:

Oh wow NE, you are probably right! --208.67.xxx.xx

I was scammed by AI (by 6x6 [TN]) Posted on: Jan 31, 2026 5:12 PM
Message:

WMH brings out a good point, and so does NE.

Not only does AI suck at customer service, but there will be lots of scams for deposits start up for tenants as well.

WMH, how would you word an ad for a rental today, now knowing what you have experienced? --73.19.xxx.xx

I was scammed by AI (by DJ [VA]) Posted on: Jan 31, 2026 5:56 PM
Message:

Yikes! --72.218.xx.xxx

I was scammed by AI (by GKARL [PA]) Posted on: Jan 31, 2026 6:17 PM
Message:

Interesting. I can see using AI for clerical stuff and some research, but it definitely requires direct management and control. You definitely have to double check the information it spews out. Also, it's learning from you when you prove it wrong. It's an effective tool if used properly but you can't be over reliant on it. This appointment setting thing is pretty wild Brad. I would not be happy. --23.28.xx.xx

I was scammed by AI (by Ray-N-Pa [PA]) Posted on: Feb 1, 2026 8:42 AM
Message:

It works well in collecting Meta data and crunching it.

It does what us humans can do, but only faster and cheaper. You can say this scares you, it probably should. If it doesn't you are probably too much of a nay sayer to realize the dangers.

But there is also the ability to train it to help you. If you are 100% against hiring out any kinda help, having AI help will be unheard of. But ignoring will not change things. If you are willing to train it to do good, what are you agreeing to? --173.188.xx.xxx

I was scammed by AI (by Oregon Woodsmoke [ID]) Posted on: Feb 1, 2026 12:43 PM
Message:

Not particularly thinking of AI, but I have started to put in my ads "I will meet you in person to show you the house DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY to anyone."

Which really isn't going to help much because the scammers just steal my photos and post their own ads. --76.178.xxx.xxx

I was scammed by AI (by BRAD 20,000 [IN]) Posted on: Feb 2, 2026 12:09 AM
Message:

Oregon,

True.

I've had scammers meet them at the house, or the library, or MacDonalds...sign a lease with OUR company name on it, take their deposit and give them a receipt.

So even showing up in person can be a scam.

"You'll get the keys when the painters are done".

Conscientious consumers are nervous about being scammed, they've seen the news.

When get to the money discussion I give them our Walk In Deposit acct number and instruct them to ask the teller if this is legit before giving any money.

I'm sure that too could be faked in a larger town.

MY concern is AI can deep fake MY voice and do a Zoom showing deep fake ME talking/answering their questions.

BRAD

--68.45.xxx.xxx

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