Question:

I have been told that since email is not secure, delivering reports to my clients by email violates the confidentiality requirements of USPAP. Does emailing a report violate USPAP?

Response:

No. It is the opinion of the Appraisal Standards Board that sending reports via email does not violate the confidentiality requirements in USPAP.

In all assignments the appraiser and the client should agree to a delivery method, and should understand any security risks associated with the delivery method. Whether a report is sent by government mail service, private mail service, email, courier or some other mechanism, there is always some risk that the security of the original document may be compromised.