Tips for Sending Sensitive Documents Via Fax Email
Fax email is a service that turns your incoming faxes into an email attachment. A fax email service helps your company eliminate paper. The concern with fax email services is that the faxes and emails may not be completely secure.
- Do not send sensitive information. Information like credit card numbers, Social Security numbers and other identifying information should not be shared electronically. Fax email services market themselves as secure. However, when sending personal information electronically, use the utmost caution and discretion.
- Make sure your email is secure. The fax email service has control only over how the fax is sent securely to your email inbox. Once in your inbox, you must ensure that your email provider encrypts all incoming emails and attachments. If you are unsure of the security of your email provider, call it directly to ask about security protocols.
- Do not click on links that lead to unsecured websites. Some fax email services may send a link to your email inbox. You click on the link to view the fax. Check that the first part of the website address begins with “https.” The "s" indicates the website is encrypted. Encrypted websites are more secure than open websites where third parties may be able to see information you have shared.
- Familiarize yourself with the fax email service's security and privacy policies. Understanding how the fax email service secures your information will help you feel comfortable sending sensitive information. When in doubt, call the service directly to have your questions answered by a customer service representative.