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Alderman McClure warns of AI-generated event scams on social media, urges residents to verify city permits
Summary
Alderman McClure told the board that a recent AI-generated Facebook event falsely advertised a local festival; she urged community members to check city event permits and consult city staff before providing payment or personal information to event organizers.
Alderman McClure used her new-business time on March 17 to warn residents about what she described as faux events and AI-generated social‑media profiles circulating in local groups. She said multiple community members contacted her after a fabricated "crepe festival" page appeared in several local Facebook groups with a profile created the same day and requests to sign up or pay for tables.
"If a social media page has been created the same day and joined a group the same day, it is not a real human being," McClure said, urging residents not to provide credit-card information or personal data to such pages. She advised those wanting to table at or participate in events to check the city’s event permit records and to contact city hall or the recreation department to confirm an event’s legitimacy. McClure offered to help community members with social-media literacy and, separately, reminded new aldermen that the board has a social-media guidance document and offered assistance in setting up transparent public accounts.
City staff and McClure said legitimate community events commonly file event permits or coordinate with the recreation department; checking that paperwork is the recommended first step before sending money or signing up with organizers encountered on social platforms.
