A state agency asks users to send payment info by email or fax?

I'm needing a report sent to me by a state agency and understand there is an associated fee. When I ask how to make payment I am informed the policy is for me to send my debit or credit card info by fax or email and my card would be charged. Once the payment is made the report will be faxed to me.

My question is whether this is a safe way to make payment? I have read in the past that fax machines keep scans in their history and email accounts can be hacked.

 

I went in person to a local office and wrote a check. I'm assuming the main state office fax machines have hard drives as they are surely some of the larger faxes that handle dozens, or hundreds, of faxes per day. Thanks for the link.