With every New Thing since undoubtedly forever, some people jump on the bandwagon and loudly proclaim it’s amazing and world-changing and only “dinosaurs” don’t see that. Others get on a different bandwagon and loudly proclaim that the New Thing will destroy everything or generally be useless.
In fact, apparently a gentleman who knew Henry Ford declined an opportunity to invest in Ford Motors because, he said, “The automobile is only a novelty – a fad. The horse is here to stay.”
More recently, many said desktop computers were “just for hobbyists.” Early critics of the internet said, “It’s not user-friendly enough to catch on.”
No matter what happens with AI (Artificial Intelligence) in the years to come, it’s probably fair to say there will be some good things about it and some not-so-good things too. That’s true of everything. Always has been. Unfortunately, scammers are working overtime to use AI to come up with alarming new “vectors of attack” to extract money from the victims of their scams. That could be a real problem.
Recently a gentleman who works at home reported how he answered a doorbell ring to find a young man with a name badge and a clipboard standing on his porch. The young man said, “I’m here for your appointment.” Supposedly it was something about the “water commission.”
The homeowner didn’t remember making any water-related appointment. He said, “I didn’t make an appointment and I’m working now, so it’s not a good time.”
The young man with the name badge and the clipboard took out his phone and played an audio he claimed was the homeowner making an appointment the day before.
At this point, the homeowner realized something was wrong. He got very suspicious because he knew he had not made any such appointment and especially not just the day before. He asked the young man to play the recording again. It did sound like him, the homeowner remembered thinking. But somehow he knew it wasn’t him. He sent the young man away.
Later this homeowner wondered if he had saved himself from some sort of scam. Or maybe it was a robbery attempt. Definitely something weird – especially with the phony cell phone audio that was “supposedly” him.
Was that an AI deep-fake voice scam? Or a cell-phone-era twist on an unscrupulous old-school marketing tactic that dishonest “home services” companies have used versions of for years? Was it some sort of odd prank?
It’s impossible to know for sure but this homeowner did exactly the right thing. He refused to be pressured or social-bullied into going along with what (in this case) a stranger at his door was saying. That is what you should be prepared to do too.
Anything unusual or unexpected or alarming should be an immediate sign to slow things down so you can figure out what’s really going on. It’s not always a scam. All scams do tend to start that way, though – especially the alarming part or if something just seems “off.” Don’t feel like you have to solve any “problem” right now. Because urgency is almost never your friend.
Scammers push victims to act without thinking. In any situation/s like this, do what this homeowner did. Make the decision to never put yourself in jeopardy. Take your time. Get independent confirmation of anything you’re being told.
Remember – you’re under no obligation to do anything instantly or to ever let a stranger into your home. If you feel threatened or afraid, call 911. The Canton Police will be happy to help you.
From the “Smart About Money” Canton Citizen column published on June 11 2026.
Nick Maffeo is the President & CEO of Canton Co-operative Bank – right next to the Post Office – in Canton.
Have a question? Email to info@cantoncoopbank.com.