Digital Privacy

Keep Your Money Safe: Five Things Never to Tell Your AI Chatbot If you use ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, or any other AI chatbot for daily tasks, you’re not alone. These tools are incredibly convenient for drafting emails, summarizing documents, or brainstorming ideas. But that convenience comes with a privacy catch: anything you type into a chatbot can be stored, analyzed, and in some cases, exposed to third parties. As more people turn to AI for help with budgeting, shopping, or even tax prep, the risk of oversharing sensitive financial information has grown sharply. ...

What High Satisfaction with Bank Fraud Protection Means for You A recent survey from the American Bankers Association (ABA), conducted by Morning Consult in Fall 2025, points to a notable trend: a strong majority of U.S. consumers report being satisfied with their bank’s efforts to protect them from fraud. On its face, this is encouraging news. It suggests that the significant investments banks have made in security systems, real-time alerts, and customer education are being recognized. ...

A Practical Guide to Recognizing, Preventing, and Responding to Today’s Scams A recent analysis notes a sobering trend: identity theft incidents surged by roughly 50% over the past two tax seasons. This isn’t just a statistic; it’s a signal that the methods used to separate people from their money and personal information are becoming more frequent and sophisticated. From emotionally manipulative phone calls to AI-generated deepfakes, the threat landscape is evolving. The good news is that by understanding common tactics and establishing a few key habits, you can significantly strengthen your defenses. ...

Your X Account Is Suspended. Here’s Your Action Plan. Seeing the “Account suspended” message when you try to log into X (formerly Twitter) is a jarring experience. Whether it’s a personal profile, a business account, or a creator hub, a suspension cuts off your access to your community, your work, and your digital presence. The process to regain access can feel opaque and frustrating. ...

New York’s Top Lawyer Warns of “Pig Butchering” Scams: How to Protect Yourself In a recent official warning, New York Attorney General Letitia James alerted the public to a sophisticated and cruel online fraud known as “pig butchering.” The name, derived from a grim metaphor, describes how scammers “fatten up” a victim with trust and affection before “slaughtering” them financially. This advisory highlights a disturbing trend that capitalizes on loneliness and the promise of easy wealth, leaving victims both heartbroken and bankrupt. Understanding this scam is your first line of defense. ...

Consumers Are Happy with Bank Fraud Protection—Here’s How to Build on It A recent national survey offers a reassuring snapshot: most Americans are satisfied with their bank’s efforts to protect them from fraud. The Fall 2025 Morning Consult survey, conducted for the American Bankers Association, found that a strong majority of consumers feel their bank is doing a good job safeguarding their accounts and money. ...

What the FTC Wants You to Know About Today’s Scams Intro Every day, we navigate a digital world filled with incredible convenience—and sophisticated traps. Scammers are constantly refining their tactics, making old advice less effective. That’s why staying updated on the latest trends isn’t just helpful; it’s a critical part of protecting your money and identity. Recently, during National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a webinar highlighting the current scam landscape. The insights are a vital roadmap for anyone who banks online, shops on the internet, or simply checks their email. ...

When Even the FBI Isn’t Safe: What a High-Profile Email Hack Means for You Last week, news broke that the personal Gmail account of Kash Patel, a former high-ranking FBI official, had been compromised. According to reports from Reuters, WIRED, and NBC News, a group known as “Handala,” linked to Iran, breached the account, stealing and subsequently publishing personal emails, photos, and documents. ...

Your Email Isn’t as Safe as You Think: Lessons from a High-Profile Hack Last month, news broke that the personal Gmail account of a former senior U.S. official had been compromised. A group calling itself “Handala,” linked to Iran, breached the account, publishing private documents and photos online. While the target was high-profile—former FBI Director Kash Patel—the method of attack and the consequences are a stark reminder for everyone with an email account. ...

When High-Profile Hacks Hit Home: Protecting Your Personal Email News recently broke that a group known as Handala, linked to Iran, breached the personal Gmail account of Kash Patel, a former official. While the technical details are still emerging, the core takeaway for the rest of us is starkly simple: if a figure with presumed high security awareness can have a personal account compromised, so can anyone. This incident isn’t about elite spycraft; it’s a potent reminder of the everyday vulnerabilities in our digital lives. Let’s break down what this means and, more importantly, what you can do about it. ...