Emailed confidential info to the wrong person? Do this

People send confidential information to the wrong email address more often than you’d think. In one recent incident, a Department of Homeland Security staffer mistakenly added a journalist to an email containing details of an upcoming operation. It led to administrative leave and revocation of security clearance.

Learn what you should do if you accidentally send secret or sensitive data to the wrong inbox, and how to minimize the fallout before it spirals. You’ll also get simple ways to protect your reputation (and your company’s) while keeping the situation under control.

1. Check what actually went out

If you accidentally sent an email to the wrong person, evaluate what you sent and who received it. Was it highly confidential or just routine? Did the wrong person open it, or did it sit in their spam folder? The clearer you are about what and who, the smarter your next move.

One Reddit user shared how a tiny typo snowballed into a stressful moment.

They emailed a couple and accidentally mistyped the husband’s address, which led to their insurance details landing in a stranger’s inbox. The replies rolled in with reassurance, but the panic was real in the moment.

Take the facts into the next step — knowing exactly what went out gives you control back. Once you’ve assessed the damage, you can move fast and fix what matters most.

2. See if you can un-send your *oops*

First, try to recall that misplaced message. If that fails, send a friendly request. And if things still don't look promising, you’ll want to put your data on watch guard.

Try to recall the email

Gmail lets you “undo” a message for five to 30 seconds (depending on your settings), which is helpful if you catch the mistake fast.

But if you use Microsoft Outlook within your organization, you might see the Recall Message option. It lets you attempt to delete unread copies (or replace the message).

However, this only works when both you and the recipient use the same Exchange or Office 365 setup, the message is still unread, and the mailbox hasn’t been moved. When all those pieces line up, Recall has a real shot at saving the day.

If you can’t recall it, ask nicely

When Recall is out of the equation, send a short, friendly request to the receiver like this:

"Hi [Name],

My email had a serious case of bad aim and landed in your inbox by mistake. Would you mind deleting it (and any attachments)? Sorry for the mix-up!

Thanks so much — I owe you a coffee and a lifetime of gratitude!"

Why bother? Because many people will comply when you’re polite and swift. You’ll also demonstrate professionalism and transparency, which can be important later if your IT or legal teams need proof that you took action.

3. Document the damage

If you can’t undo the damage, treat it like getting into a fender bender — document the scene and report it before it becomes a bigger problem.

Note who received it and when, contact any affected party if needed, and monitor your accounts for odd activity. Also, let your team know. Your boss or IT would much rather hear it from you than from legal complaining about you later.

4. Prepare for the worst-case scenario

Most of the time, an accidentally sent email just sits in someone's inbox or gets deleted. But if sensitive information lands with someone who wants to misuse it, things can get tricky.

If the email contains passwords or security answers, they could access those specific accounts. Personal details like your SSN or financial data could be sold on the dark web and used for identity theft. And any confidential business information could be shared with competitors or leaked publicly.

The severity depends entirely on what was in the email and who received it. Here's how to protect yourself:

• Change your passwords: Update any account connected to the info you shared, plus any with similar passwords.
• Turn on two-factor authentication: Add an extra lock so no one can slip in with just a password.
• Monitor your bank and cards: Keep an eye out for charges or transfers you don’t recognize.
• Freeze your credit: Freezing your credit helps stop anyone from opening new accounts in your name. 
• Alert your IT or security team: Give them the details so they can log it and help secure everything.
• Notify your bank if needed: If bank details were exposed, they can place fraud alerts or issue new numbers.
• Watch your email closely: Look for password-reset attempts, login alerts, or anything that feels off.

5. Prevent future email mishaps

Once you’ve cleaned up the damage, the real win is making sure it doesn’t happen again. Use these small habits to help ensure your emails get to their intended destination:

• Add a short delay before emails are sent: Set a 30-second buffer so you can catch typos, wrong recipients, or missing attachments before they blast off.
• Double-check names before you hit send: Ask yourself, “Is that Chris from work… or Chris from high school who still emails me chain jokes?”
• Avoid sending sensitive info over email: Use encrypted, file-sharing platforms or secure messaging apps instead.

Protect your info before mistakes happen

Even if a misfired email catches you off guard, LifeLock can help soften the fallout. It keeps watch over your personal data, alerts you when something suspicious appears, and guides you through resolving issues quickly, so one slip doesn’t escalate into a bigger problem.

FAQs

Can I get in trouble for sending confidential info?

Yes, depending on your workplace policies and what you sent, it can lead to warnings, audits, or formal action.

Does recalling an email really work?

Only in very limited cases. It works inside the same Outlook/Exchange environment, and only if the email hasn’t been opened. Everywhere else, it’s basically a myth.

What’s considered a breach of confidentiality?

Sharing private, restricted, or sensitive information with someone who isn’t authorized to see it — whether intentional or accidental — is usually considered a breach of confidentiality.