Key Takeaways
Emailing credit card information is risky and can lead to breaches.
Email accounts are frequently compromised through device or account access.
If you must send details, encrypt attachments before transmission.
Trustworthy provides a more secure way to send and store sensitive payment information.
Of all online transfer methods, email is virtually the least secure for financial data.
Email may seem like a convenient way to send credit card information — it’s quick, familiar, and easy for the recipient to access.
But of all the ways you can transfer information to another person on the internet, email is the most likely to be compromised. Email accounts are frequently breached, and messages can linger on multiple devices and servers long after you hit “send.”
This article explains the risks of emailing sensitive payment information, how to protect yourself if you have no alternative, safer sharing options, and how Trustworthy provides a better way to send and store financial data securely.
Risks of Sending Credit Card Info by Email
Q: Why isn’t it safe to send credit card information by email?
A: Sending your credit card details by email exposes you to several risks, including account hacks, data breaches, and careless handling by the recipient. Emails can remain in both your Sent folder and the recipient’s inbox (and backups), meaning anyone who gains access to either account could see your information.
Q: Why are email accounts such a weak link?
A: Email accounts are often logged in across multiple devices, making them difficult to secure. If your account or the recipient’s account is compromised, your credit card data can be exposed without your knowledge. Many people also skip multi-factor authentication, leaving inboxes vulnerable to phishing and password theft.
Q: What makes email especially vulnerable to breaches?
A: Emails pass through several mail servers before reaching the recipient. If any of those servers lack encryption, your message may be exposed in transit. Even providers that encrypt transmissions, like Gmail or Yahoo, typically stop protecting the
How to Send Credit Card Info More Securely by Email (If You Insist)
Q: What is the safest way to attach credit card info to an email?
A: If you have no other option, take these precautions:
Put card details in a separate document, not the email body. Use a program like Microsoft Word.
Omit the CVV. Never send all 16 digits, the expiration date, and the CVV together. Send the CVV separately by another method.
Encrypt the file with a strong password. In Word, go to File → Info → Protect Document → Encrypt with Password.
Send the email from a secure, password-protected Wi-Fi network. Avoid public Wi-Fi.
Share the document password and CVV separately. Call the recipient once they’re ready to open the file.
Delete the email afterward. Remove it from your Sent and Trash folders, and ask the recipient to do the same.
Q: Why should I split the CVV from the rest of the card details?
A: Hackers need both your card number and CVV to make unauthorized purchases. Splitting the information across two channels (for example, email and phone) reduces the chance that a single breach exposes your full card details.
Q: Are there extra precautions for storing the card after sending?
A: Don’t keep credit card details in your email account. Once the transfer is complete, delete the message and attachments. Ask the recipient to delete their copies as well. The longer your card info exists in email storage, the greater the risk.
Alternatives: Safer Ways to Share Payment Information
Q: What are better options than email for sharing credit card info?
A: Use one of these alternatives whenever possible:
Trustworthy, for encrypted document storage and controlled sharing (details below).
End-to-end encrypted messaging apps such as Signal, WhatsApp, or Telegram.
Phone calls, which leave no written trail and allow recipients to enter card data directly.
Split delivery, sending the card number via one channel and the CVV via another.
Q: Is sending a picture of your card safer than typing the numbers?
A: No — sending a photo of your credit card is not more secure. Image files can be copied, stored, or intercepted just like text.
Q: Is faxing a secure option?
A: While it’s not the most secure method, you can fax your credit card information if it has TLS encryption.
How Trustworthy Makes Sharing Credit Card Information Safer
Q: How can Trustworthy help me share credit card information securely?
A: Trustworthy is a secure digital storage and sharing platform built for sensitive personal and financial information. Its security features include bank-level encryption for all stored data and files, and SecureLinks™ that let you share limited-time, revokable access to a file or record.
Q: Why is Trustworthy safer than email or messaging apps?
A: Unlike email or messaging apps, Trustworthy provides both control and visibility. You decide who has access, for how long, and you can revoke that access instantly. Every account uses multi-factor authentication and encryption that extends to every stored or shared file.
Q: Can I let trusted family members use a card securely through Trustworthy?
A: Yes. You can share limited access to payment details with family members, caregivers, or advisors who need to make purchases or payments on your behalf. Access can be restricted to view-only and revoked at any time, so you never have to resend sensitive data.
The Bottom Line
Email is virtually the least secure way to send credit card information.
For ongoing or repeat sharing, use Trustworthy, a bank-grade digital vault with encrypted storage, tokenization, multi-factor authentication, SecureLinks™, and collaboration controls — giving you full control over who sees your financial information.
Other Credit Card Resources
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