AI Essentials

Plain-English AI for beginners. Calm lessons, large text, no jargon and no rush. Start with AI Basics.

[AI Essentials @AiEssential_]

Too old for AI? Says who. 💙
Meet Margaret. One simple beginner course, and now she uses AI to explain confusing letters, plan days out and spot scam messages.
You're not too late. Start here 👉 https://t.co/JIzG6H3l8F
#Over50s #AIForBeginners #ScamAwareness #NeverTooLate

[AI Essentials @AiEssential_]

@CitizensAdvice @CitizensAdvice A simple check for AI search results: don't tap the shop or helpline link the AI gives you. Type the company's web address yourself, or use the number on your card or a past letter. An AI answer can include a scam site without knowing it.

[AI Essentials @AiEssential_]

@MartinSLewis @MartinSLewis Worth knowing while this is going on: Microsoft won't ring or text you to fix the outage. If someone does, hang up and don't let anyone onto your computer. Check for updates on Microsoft's own status page, typed in yourself.

[AI Essentials @AiEssential_]

Outlook playing up today? Expect fake "Microsoft support" calls and texts. Microsoft won't ring you to fix it. Don't click links or let anyone onto your computer. Check Microsoft's own status page instead. #CyberSecurity #ScamAware

[NCSC UK @NCSC]

In the wake of the global Microsoft outage, the NCSC is recommending that everyone exercises caution around unexpected calls and messages, especially those containing links.

For advice on how to recognise & report suspicious messages, websites & calls⬇️
https://t.co/xxleJhwiDT

[AI Essentials @AiEssential_]

Free scam checklist, free instant download: https://t.co/lDcuK3pmt2

AI Basics: https://t.co/pws3pcrSCE

[AI Essentials @AiEssential_]

"Amazon here, someone's using your card." Report Fraud says fake Amazon callers took £86,837 in 9 days, and 60% of reports came from people aged 50-79. Hang up, then check in the Amazon app yourself.

AI Basics: £29.99, offer ends 1 December. 30-day refund.
#ScamAware

[AI Essentials @AiEssential_]

@MartinSLewis However often you check yours, one rule worth knowing: an unexpected call, text or email offering a free "pension review" is a red flag, as pension cold calls are banned in the UK. Free, impartial guidance for over-50s is Pension Wise, via MoneyHelper.

[AI Essentials @AiEssential_]

@MoneySavingExp One extra check while this is going on: if an email says your Virgin Media address is closing and asks you to pay or log in, don't use its link. Go to Virgin Media's own website yourself, as notices like this are easy for scammers to copy.

[AI Essentials @AiEssential_]

Christmas shopping online? Before you pay, read the web address letter by letter, and reach the shop by typing its address or using its own app, never from an ad or a text. Spotted a fake? Report it, as Report Fraud says. #ShopSafe #ScamAware

[Report Fraud @reportfrauduk]

⚠️ Many criminals operate fake websites, which will download viruses to your computer, or are designed to steal passwords and personal information.

Think you've found a scam website? Report it here👇
https://t.co/cSU9PeflFA

#ReportFraud

[AI Essentials @AiEssential_]

Free scam checklist, free instant download: https://t.co/KOh3xjFLES

AI Basics: https://t.co/oSFQ1HhEtg

[AI Essentials @AiEssential_]

Clicked an ad for a great deal at "Aldi"? Which? has found a fake shop site using Aldi's logo and branding, likely linked to dodgy ads. Don't buy from an ad link. Type the shop's web address yourself.

AI Basics: £29.99, offer ends 1 December. 30-day refund.
#ScamAware

[AI Essentials @AiEssential_]

@MartinSLewis A question for your guest: what to do about cold calls offering to "review" or cash in a life policy? Our tip meanwhile: don't agree to anything on the call. Look the firm up on the FCA Register yourself and ring back on the number listed there.

[AI Essentials @AiEssential_]

@MoneySavingExp Worth knowing: grandparents under State Pension age who look after a grandchild under 12 may get Specified Adult Childcare credits, if the parent gets Child Benefit. They fill gaps in your National Insurance record. Search the name on https://t.co/OPVjQbCbUB.

[AI Essentials @AiEssential_]

Shopping online for Christmas? Report Fraud is running a webinar on 23 November (10-11am) on spotting online shopping fraud. One simple habit: pay by card, never bank transfer, so you have more protection if a shop turns out to be fake. #ShopSafe #ScamAware

[Report Fraud @reportfrauduk]

🛍️ Shopping online this festive season? Join the Report Fraud webinar and learn how to:

✅Spot online shopping fraud
✅ Shop safely this festive season
✅ Protect yourself online.

📅 23 November
⏰10-11am

🔗Register here: https://t.co/aqAi1HkEQy

[AI Essentials @AiEssential_]

Free scam checklist, free instant download: https://t.co/OmYXiBQjW9

AI Basics: https://t.co/FUIqhX57TM

[AI Essentials @AiEssential_]

An email says "Halifax is moving to Lloyds, please update your details"? The brand change is real. Which? says this email is a scam from an unofficial address. Don't click. Check in your own banking app.

AI Basics: £29.99, offer ends 1 December. 30-day refund.
#ScamAwareness

[AI Essentials @AiEssential_]

@NCSC For a small firm, a good first foundation is 2-step verification on your email account, because email can reset every other login. Then check who still has access to any shared passwords.

[AI Essentials @AiEssential_]

@reportfrauduk The hang-up-and-call-back rule works best if you wait 5 minutes or use a different phone, as some scammers keep the line open. Then call 159 to reach your bank safely.

[AI Essentials @AiEssential_]

AI chatbots can sound sure of themselves and still be wrong. Citizens Advice say they're already seeing the harm. Use AI to explain things, but check money, benefits or legal answers with an official source before you act. #AI #ScamAware

[CitizensAdvice @CitizensAdvice]

At Citizens Advice, we're already seeing the consequences of AI chatbots giving wrong or misleading advice to people in desperate situations.

So how do we make sure the advice people increasingly rely on is safe, accurate and trustworthy? Read more ⤵️
https://t.co/VGQ8UiRq31

[AI Essentials @AiEssential_]

Free scam checklist, free instant download: https://t.co/TX5ezZexxW

AI Basics: https://t.co/5ibBRDHk7L

[AI Essentials @AiEssential_]

An email says "a new Direct Debit has been set up" for £624.99 a month? Nationwide confirmed it's fraudulent. Don't click or ring the number in it. Check your Direct Debits in your own banking app.

AI Basics: £29.99, offer ends 1 December. 30-day refund.
#ScamAware