Is it Safe to Email Your Passport or ID? (And How to Do it Right)

Whether you are applying for a remote job, renting an apartment, or verifying your identity for a bank, you’ve likely been asked to “just scan and email your ID.” While it’s common practice, emailing a plain image of your passport or ID is a major security risk. Once you hit “send,” that sensitive image sits in your Sent folder, the recipient’s Inbox, and on multiple email servers in between.

The Dangers of “Plain” Attachments

• Server Hacks: If either your email or the recipient’s email is ever hacked, your identity documents are the first thing thieves look for.
• Data Mining: Many free email providers scan attachments for data.
• Permanent Footprint: Deleting an email doesn’t always delete it from the backup servers where it was processed.

The 2-Minute Solution for Maximum Privacy

Instead of sending a raw photo, you should “wrap” your ID in a layer of encryption first.

1. Lock the Image: Head to our Secure File Locker and select your ID photo.
2. Add a Strong Password: (Check out our guide on creating unbreakable passwords if you need help!).
3. Download the .locked File: You will receive a secure, encrypted version of your ID.
4. Email with Confidence: Attach the .locked file to your email. Even if the email is intercepted, the ID cannot be viewed without the password.

Conclusion

You don’t have to stop being productive; you just have to be smarter about your data. By taking 60 seconds to encrypt your sensitive attachments, you eliminate the risk of identity theft from email leaks.