Is It Safe to Email Bank Details?

When it comes to sharing financial information like bank details, email might seem like the quickest and most convenient option.

But is it safe?

The short answer is no — not without taking the right steps to protect your information.

As a writer and researcher in cybersecurity, I've seen first-hand how easily convenience can lead to oversights in email security.

"Email is a fantastic tool, but it was never designed with security as its primary focus."

— Paul Holland, Founder, Beyond Encryption

Email was never created with security in mind.

Modern email systems offer some safeguards, but the risk of exposing sensitive data is still high.

Let’s look at why you might need to email bank details, the risks involved, and how to stay protected.

Contents:

• When You Need to Send Bank Details
• The Risks of Emailing Bank Details
• If Someone Gets a Hold of Them
• If You’ve Already Sent Them
• Data You Shouldn't Share via Email
• Can I Send Bank Details Safely?
• Email Encryption: What Is It?
• Recipient Authentication: What Is It?
• Best Practices for Sharing Bank Details

When You Might Need to Email Bank Details

There are times you may need to send your bank details by email.

• Securing a deposit: Sending bank details to confirm a rental property or venue.
• Receiving payment for services: Sharing account information or an invoice to get paid for your work, or vice versa.
• Reimbursing a friend or family member: Sending bank details to settle shared expenses or repay a loan.
• Setting up salary payments: Providing your account details to a new employer, or updated details to an existing employer.
• Completing a significant purchase: Sharing bank information for house, car, or other large transactions.

The Risks of Emailing Bank Details

Sending an email might feel convenient for both you and your recipient.

However, it also opens the door to serious digital risks.

These include:

Unauthorised Access

If a cybercriminal accesses your email account or your recipient’s, they can gather all the information inside, including your bank details.

This often happens when emails aren’t protected by strong, unique passwords, or if someone physically steals your device.

Interception

When an email travels between you and your recipient, cybercriminals can intercept it.

They might use techniques like man-in-the-middle attacks to eavesdrop or even alter data in transit.

This is more likely if you’re using public Wi-Fi or an email service that’s not encrypted.

Phishing Attacks

Scammers often pose as trusted organisations or people.

They’ll trick you into sharing personal details or banking information.

They might use emails that look almost identical to legitimate ones, or messages that create panic by claiming there’s a problem with your bank account.

Human Error

Mistakes happen, especially if you’re sending lots of emails or if you’re in a hurry.

A small typo in the address could mean your bank details land in the wrong inbox.

If that unintended recipient decides to use your info, you could be at risk.

What Happens If Someone Gets a Hold of Your Bank Details?

If someone gets your bank details without your permission, the consequences can be severe.

Fraudsters can:

• Withdraw funds from your account.
• Set up unauthorised direct debits, or standing orders.
• Attempt identity theft by combining details with other personal information.

Statistics show that £1.2 billion is stolen by fraud each year, which is more than £2,300 every minute.

Almost 43 million UK internet users have encountered suspected scams, with over 20% losing £1,000 or more.

While banks have fraud-detection measures in place, resolving fraud can be time-consuming and stressful.

Three in five fraud victims report anxiety and low confidence after the experience.

What to Do If You’ve Already Sent Bank Details via Email

If you’ve sent bank details through unsecured email and think they might be compromised, act fast.

Contact your bank.

They can watch your transactions and freeze your account if needed.

Keep an eye on your statements, and if you see misuse, report it to the police or Action Fraud.

Other Information You Should Never Share via Unsecured Email

Criminals can exploit more than just bank details.

Avoid sending:

• Passwords or credentials
• Copies of birth certificates, passports, or other identification
• Medical or health records
• Home addresses or contact information
• Legal or financial contracts
• Business information, like intellectual property or proprietary data

Is There a Way to Send Bank Details via Email Safely?

Standard email isn’t safe enough on its own.

But there are ways to make it more secure.

Two main tools help protect emails: encryption and recipient authentication.

Let’s break down what these are and how they help.

Email Encryption

What Is Email Encryption?

Email encryption scrambles your message content while it travels, making it hard for criminals to read or change.

There are two main types:

Transport Layer Encryption (TLS):

This protects your message from your device to the recipient’s email server.

But once it reaches their inbox, it’s decrypted.

End-to-End Encryption (E2EE):

This keeps your message encrypted from your device all the way to the recipient’s.

Nobody else can read it without the right decryption key, not even your email provider.

Popular E2EE standards include:

S/MIME (Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions): Uses cryptographic keys to encrypt emails, but both sender and recipient need digital certificates.

AES-256 (Advanced Encryption Standard): Encrypts emails on the sender’s device.

They stay encrypted until they reach the recipient, regardless of what email service they use.

Find out more about email encryption.

How Do I Encrypt an Email?

Most email providers, including Outlook, Gmail, and iOS, offer some level of encryption.

We’ve put together a full guide on how to set up encryption in each system.

However, many only use TLS or S/MIME.

While this is better than no encryption, it can leave gaps in your defences.

For stronger protection, look for advanced encryption protocols like AES-256.

Services such as Mailock use AES-256, which is military-grade encryption.

Recipient Authentication

What Is Recipient Authentication?

Email recipient authentication is about making sure the person who opens your email is the right one.

It helps stop others from reading your messages if you enter the wrong address by accident.

Methods include:

Password-protected documents:

If you attach your bank details rather than paste them, you can put a password on the file.

But you have to share that password separately, like by phone or text.

Digital certificates and signing:

Digital signatures, such as those used by S/MIME, let the recipient verify that the email is genuine and wasn’t changed in transit.

However, certificates can be costly and tricky to set up.

Secure email services:

Some platforms, like Mailock, let you authenticate the recipient before they can read the email.

This might include sending an SMS code to their phone or setting a shared security question.

Other Best Practices for Sharing Bank Details

Encryption and authentication are the most important parts of protecting your bank details.

But there are more ways to keep emails secure:

• Use a strong, unique password for your email. Try the three random words approach recommended by the National Cyber Security Centre.
• Turn on Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for your email. This adds another layer of security when you log in.
• Avoid sending details over public Wi-Fi. If you need to, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your connection.

Protecting Bank Details

There are different ways to protect data you send online.

It’s vital to put safeguards in place and not just send sensitive information via unsecured email.

If you’re ever unsure—don’t send it.

FAQs

What Is the Safest Way to Send Bank Details via Email?

Use a secure email service with end-to-end encryption and recipient authentication.

This helps make sure only the intended recipient can read your message.

Should I Ever Send My Passwords by Email?

It's best not to.

Emails can be intercepted or accessed by hackers.

Use a secure password manager or share passwords through phone or in person.

Can Someone Withdraw Money if They Only Have My Bank Details?

Yes, it’s possible.

Fraudsters can set up direct debits or standing orders.

Always watch your statements for suspicious activity and notify your bank if you see anything unusual.

How Quickly Should I Act If I Accidentally Send My Bank Details?

Contact your bank right away.

They can watch for suspicious transactions and freeze your account to protect your funds.

References

Over £1.2 billion stolen through fraud in 2022, UK Finance, 2023

Scale and impact of online fraud revealed, Ofcom, 2023

Research reveals mental and physical impact of fraud on victims’ wellbeing, Independent, 2024

Top tips for staying secure online, National Cyber Security Centre, 2021

Reviewed by

Sam Kendall, 09.01.25

Sabrina McClune, 09.01.25