Last Updated on April 29, 2026
Don’t Share Sensitive Data with AI
Recent studies show that people increasingly share sensitive personal and financial data with AI chatbots. They ask for help and advice. That’s a problem.
AI keeps information you share when you ask for help with finances, organization, taxes, etc. for “learning.” If your computer or the AI chatbot is hacked, there goes your sensitive data. That makes it much easier for scammers to impersonate your banker.
The Washington Post’s financial columnist Michelle Singletary advises that we not share with AI: personally identifiable information such as your Social Security Number; employment information; specific debts (which might target you for scammers); specific transactions; and financial documents such as your tax returns. Asking generic questions of AI with rounded numbers is OK. Getting too personal risks your privacy.
Ed Appel, Co-Chair, Safety-Security Committee