One place for El Raso neighbours to find out what’s going on with scams and AI, and what to do about it. In plain English.
Last checked by Richie:
I will never message or phone you asking for money, codes, passwords or bank details. If “I” do, it’s a scam.
The hub is free. If you’d like to help keep it running, the only way is the Support the hub button on this page. Never by Bizum, bank transfer or a link in a message.
Don’t answer it.
If it’s real, they’ll find another way. If anyone asks for money, a code or a password, that’s the red flag. However real they sound. Even if they say they are your bank, the police or your family.
The short number your bank or WhatsApp texts you, like “Your code is 482915”. Only you type it, into an app you opened yourself. Nobody real will ever ask you for it.
If “family” calls in a panic asking for money, ask for the word. AI can copy a voice. It can’t guess your word. Don’t write it down.
Do these in order. Don’t be embarrassed. It happens to clever people every day.
This month, people using AI found weaknesses in software that runs millions of websites. They’re being fixed, but some customer details were taken first.
What it means for you: expect more scam calls, texts and emails for a while. Some may know your name or your address. That doesn’t make them real.
You can’t fix the websites. You can lock your own doors. Start with the list below.
At home, on your home Wi-Fi. One at a time. Tick them off as you go.
A password manager remembers every password for you. Your phone already has one built in. Proton Pass has a good free version. I earn nothing from recommending it.
A handy clue: since 17 October, big companies in Spain must make sales calls from numbers starting 400. A “company” selling from an ordinary mobile? Be careful.
Don’t buy anything in a panic.
Where: O’Brien’s, El Raso. About 50 seats. Ask at the bar to save yours.
Plain English. No jargon. No silly questions. Nothing to buy. Bring your phone, and bring a friend.
It’s the same session each day, so pick the day that suits you.
The workshop is in English. If English isn’t easy for you, please bring someone to translate.
Asked at the workshops. Short answers, the same as on the printed sheet and the WhatsApp channel. Tap a question to open it.
Didn’t type anything in? Close it. That’s usually it.
Typed in a password or card? Block your card in your bank’s app, change that password, then message 017.
Yes. From a short video or a voice note.
That’s why your family code word matters. AI can’t guess it.
Not inside your real apps. But texts, websites and calendar invites can look like one.
Don’t tap it. Open the app yourself.
Usually. Check the web address it shows before you tap.
Watch out for stickers on parking meters and posters: fake codes get stuck over real ones.
Phone them. A real call, not a message.
Don’t tap anything “they” send, and never send money or codes.
Hang up. Microsoft, Amazon and your internet company never ring out of the blue.
Never let anyone onto your computer because of a call.
Expecting a parcel? Yes, answer it. A real driver only asks where to leave it.
Asked for money, a code or to tap a link? Hang up. AI can fake the voice. It can’t change what they’re after.
Never hand it over. Banks never send anyone to collect cards.
Shut the door, ring the number on the back of your card, then ring the Guardia Civil on 062.
It’s a bluff. Don’t pay, don’t reply.
They got the old password from a leak. Change it anywhere you still use it.
Banks weren’t the weak lock this month. The bigger risk is being talked into a payment.
Turn on payment alerts in your banking app, and keep the golden rule.
Messages you didn’t send. Unknown linked devices. Password emails you didn’t ask for.
Not sure? Message 017 on WhatsApp, 900 116 117. It’s free (in Spanish).
No. The bank’s own app, with two-step login, is a good way to bank.
Just never act on a call or a message. Open the app yourself.
Not in a panic. Do the free things first.
Updates, the golden rule, two-step login. Most of the protection is free.
Fine for browsing and WhatsApp.
For banking, use mobile data or your home Wi-Fi.
Hand it over. You matter more than a phone.
Then switch on theft protection tonight: it stops a thief taking over your accounts. It’s on the take-home checklist.
Ring your phone company straight away, from another phone.
Someone may have copied your SIM to get your bank codes. Then ring your bank.
Your chats are locked so only you and the other person can read them. WhatsApp says not even it or Meta can.
The real risks are scam messages and someone getting your 6-digit code. Turn on your WhatsApp PIN.
No. Following doesn’t show your number to me or to anyone else.
If you’re already saved in my phone, WhatsApp tells me you follow. That’s all.
You can’t. It’s one-way: I post, you read, when it suits you.
You can tap an emoji or answer a poll if you like. Nobody can message you from it.
Fine for keeping in touch, with a few settings.
Set your posts to Friends only. Skip quizzes, “you’ve won” posts and friend requests from people you’re already friends with.
They can. A big investigation in September says some LG TVs recorded sound even when they looked off. LG denies it.
Don’t use voice control? Turn it off in Settings, plus “viewing information”. Away for a while? Switch off at the wall.
Not in the way people fear.
The real risks today are scam messages and shared codes.
Some jobs will change, some will go, new ones will come. Nobody knows how fast.
Big topic. I’m planning a session on it. Follow the channel.
Nobody knows. Serious experts disagree.
Today we deal with what’s in front of us. A calm session on the big questions is coming.
Today is free, and nothing is for sale.
The El Raso AI Hub is a free community site. My business, Costa Blanca AI, will run paid courses one day.
Follow the El Raso AI Hub channel on WhatsApp. Only Richie can post. Your number stays hidden from everyone (if you’re already saved in my phone, WhatsApp just tells me you follow). You can’t reply or be added to anything: you can only tap an emoji or answer a poll. Usually one update a week, plus urgent warnings.
Please don’t send me private details by message. For a chat, catch me at O’Brien’s.
Verwacht u het niet? Neem niet op. Is het echt, dan vinden ze wel een andere manier. Vraagt iemand om geld, een code of een wachtwoord? Dat is het alarmsignaal. Wie het ook vraagt. Hoe echt het ook klinkt. Ook als ze zeggen dat ze van uw bank, de politie of uw familie zijn.
Daarna:
Al geld kwijt? Blokkeer eerst zelf uw kaart in de app van uw bank en bel dan het 24-uursnummer op uw kaart. Daarna 017, de gratis hulplijn (in het Spaans; via WhatsApp 900 116 117 kunt u Google Translate gebruiken), dagelijks 8–23 uur. Aangifte: Guardia Civil 062. Noodgeval: 112.
De workshops zijn in het Engels. Neem gerust iemand mee die kan vertalen.
¿No lo esperaba? No conteste. Si es de verdad, encontrarán otra manera. Si le piden dinero, un código o una contraseña, esa es la señal de alarma. Lo pida quien lo pida. Por muy real que parezca. Aunque digan que son su banco, la policía o su familia.
Después:
¿Ya ha perdido dinero? Bloquee primero usted mismo la tarjeta en la app de su banco y llame al número de 24 horas de la tarjeta. Luego al 017, la línea gratuita de ayuda (de 8 a 23 h, WhatsApp 900 116 117). Denuncia: Guardia Civil 062. Emergencias: 112.
Los talleres son en inglés. Venga con alguien que le pueda traducir.
I’m Richie. I live here in El Raso. I run CostaBlanca AI, helping people understand AI in plain English. This hub is free, and kept going by neighbours who chip in.
It isn’t run by the urbanization, the council or the police. For official news, always check official sources too.
Live in another urbanization? I’d like every community to have its own trusted hub. Have a word with me at O’Brien’s.
I pay for the website and my time myself. If the hub has helped you, you can chip in the price of a coffee. Everything stays free either way.
The Support the hub button is coming this week. It will appear right here, and nowhere else.
This button is the only way to support the hub. I will never ask you for money by message, phone or Bizum.
