Disclaimer: We sustain our work & review products through paid collaborations.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Faxing Personal Information

The Do’s and Don’ts of Faxing Personal Information


There’s something counterintuitive about sending personal information over fax. It’s one of the older modes of communication, which makes us doubt whether it meets modern security standards. However, you may be surprised to learn that many industries still rely on faxing for sending confidential information, as it’s still considered one of the safest ways to send sensitive data.

Alternatives, such as email, aren’t entirely safe as not everyone uses a secure email service. Similarly, online storage services have been hacked in the past – while faxing soldiers on.

Personal info form

Best online fax services of 2025

Editors' choice

eFax

Editor's rating:
Faxing via email
Large file sharing
Lifetime storage
Desktop & mobile apps
International faxing

FAX.PLUS

Editor's rating:
Easy to use
Well-designed website and apps
Compliant with security and privacy regulations
Unlimited storage
Local faxing

MetroFax

Editor's rating:
Simple online platform
Unlimited cloud storage
Faxing via email
Great price-quality ratio
Small businesses

MyFax

Editor's rating:
Fax organization options
International fax numbers
Toll-free numbers
Unlimited storage
Secure faxing

SRFax

Editor's rating:
HIPAA/PHIPA compliance
Safe and secure
Reasonably priced
Variety of different plans
Free faxing

iFax

Editor's rating:
Well-designed dashboard
HIPAA & GBLA compliant
Mobile document scanning
Secure encryption
Only $5 for first month of eFax
eFax logo
Subscribe to eFax monthly plan and pay only $5 for the first month of use.
Try eFax

Is it safe to fax personal information?

Yes, faxing personal information is safe when done correctly. Using an online fax service is recommended as they offer additional encryption, keeping your messages fully secure as they go from point A to point B. Encoding ensures that the data remains fully protected and inaccessible to unauthorized individuals.

It’s also important to follow the recommended security practices, such as keeping your information private, only using reliable providers, and avoiding public fax machines.

Fingerprint unlocking password

At this point, you may be wondering why public fax machines aren’t as safe as normal faxing. The answer is simple – since they’re open to the public, these machines are more prone to information leaks.

However, even the security of online faxing relies on various factors. These elements include the chosen provider and the strength of its encryption algorithms, along with how security measures are implemented by both the sender and receiver.

Secure online faxing FAQ

Is it safe to fax credit card information?
Is it safe to fax your Social Security number?
Is it safe to fax tax documents?

Faxing medical information

As we’ve seen, medical information is often transferred by fax. Rest assured, though, this kind of data transfer is highly regulated – as you would expect when dealing with such sensitive information. All medical professionals must follow HIPAA guidelines to ensure patient confidentiality. Fortunately, some online fax services are HIPAA compliant. So, make sure to look for a service that meets these standards.

Medical record displayed on tablet

In the end, is online faxing safe?

Yes, using online faxing is safe as long as you follow the right procedures for protecting your information. Most importantly, the key to maintaining security is going for a trustworthy online fax service, such as eFax.

The easy-to-navigate eFax provides military-grade encryption while being HIPAA compliant and having protected data centers. All of that, combined with great deals and a 7-day free trial, makes eFax emerge as an attractive solution for anyone looking for a safe online faxing experience.

Overall, as long as you make sure to only rely on reputable and properly encrypted providers, online faxing shows itself as a secure and efficient solution for data and information sharing. However, as with any online service, it’s also essential to follow up-to-date security practices to guarantee the integrity and safety of all faxed information.


Best online fax services of 2025

Editors' choice

eFax

Editor's rating:
Faxing via email
Large file sharing
Lifetime storage
Desktop & mobile apps
International faxing

FAX.PLUS

Editor's rating:
Easy to use
Well-designed website and apps
Compliant with security and privacy regulations
Unlimited storage
Local faxing

MetroFax

Editor's rating:
Simple online platform
Unlimited cloud storage
Faxing via email
Great price-quality ratio
Small businesses

MyFax

Editor's rating:
Fax organization options
International fax numbers
Toll-free numbers
Unlimited storage
Secure faxing

SRFax

Editor's rating:
HIPAA/PHIPA compliance
Safe and secure
Reasonably priced
Variety of different plans
Free faxing

iFax

Editor's rating:
Well-designed dashboard
HIPAA & GBLA compliant
Mobile document scanning
Secure encryption

Discussions

Share your thoughts, ask questions, and connect with other users. Your feedback helps our community make better decisions.

©2012-2025 Best Reviews, a clovio brand – All rights reserved