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EDA moves to tighten Home Rebate web form after overseas spam tied to AI videos
Summary
Katrina Hurley said the Home Rebate Program website received a surge of overseas requests—attributed to AI-generated videos and travel influencers; she asked to require proposed-project information on future inquiries to reduce spam.
Katrina Hurley, Community and Economic Development Specialist, told the EDA that the Home Rebate Program web form has attracted a high volume of nonresident and overseas inquiries, which she attributed in part to AI-generated videos and travel influencers that have circulated the rebate details.
Hurley asked the board to approve a website change that would require future inquiries to include a proposed project description. The change is intended to reduce spam contacts and ensure submissions are relevant to Harmony residents and businesses.
The board did not record specific policy language at the Sept. 4 meeting; Hurley will coordinate website updates with city staff to require project proposals as part of the inquiry form and to limit time spent responding to noneligible inquiries.
The EDA did not indicate any change to eligibility rules for the rebate itself at the meeting; the change discussed was a procedural step to screen incoming requests before staff follow-up.
