Protect Your Dental Practice from Email Scams: Stop BEC Attacks Before They Cost You

Dental practices have never been more digital—or more at risk.

You’re dealing with insurance portals, digital imaging, online payments, and multiple vendors. That’s a lot of information flowing through your inbox. And cybercriminals know it. They’re counting on you being too busy to double-check that “urgent payment request”, “updated billing info”, or “gift cards for patient giveaway.”

Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams are now one of the most dangerous (and sneaky) threats to dental practices today. And unlike traditional malware, these attacks don’t need flashy attachments or suspicious links. Just a well-crafted email and one distracted team member.

Let’s walk through what BEC scams look like in the dental world and how to protect your practice from falling victim.

You're Being Targeted (Even If You Don't Know It)

BEC scams aren’t random. Cybercriminals intentionally target dental offices because:

• You process regular vendor payments
• You may not have enterprise-grade cybersecurity
• You rely on email for financial communication
• You juggle clinical and admin responsibilities with a lean team

In short? You’re busy, and that makes you vulnerable.

Understand How BEC Attacks Work

Think of a BEC scam like a phishing attack in disguise. Only this time, the bait looks like it’s coming from someone you trust...your boss, your accountant, even a well-known vendor.

Here’s how a typical BEC attack unfolds in a dental setting:

Step 1: Phishing for Access

A cybercriminal sends a fake email, tricking someone into giving up login credentials. Sometimes it's a "Microsoft 365 login alert." Other times it’s a fake DocuSign link.

Step 2: Executive Impersonation

Once they’re in, they lurk. They read. They learn. Then they send an email that looks like it’s from the dentist or office manager...usually with a message like:

• “Hey, can you send a wire to this new vendor? Need it ASAP, clinic internet’s down.”
• “We’re doing a patient giveaway next month. Can you purchase 20 digital Apple Gift Cards and send them me.”

Step 3: Fraudulent Activity

The request sounds urgent but reasonable. And just like that, your front office team wires money to a criminal’s account.

Real Practices, Real Losses

According to the FBI's Internet Crime Report, BEC scams led to $6.3 billion in losses in 2024...and the number is growing.

Here’s what this could look like in a dental context:

The "Updated Bank Info" Vendor Scam

Dr. Smith’s office receives an email from their lab supplier:

“We’ve updated our bank account for faster ACH deposits. Please update your records.”

Only, it’s not the lab. It’s a scammer. The office sends $18,000 in monthly lab fees to a fake account. And It’s weeks before anyone notices.

Build a Human + Tech Shield Against BEC Attacks

When it comes to protecting your dental practice from business email compromise (BEC) scams, there’s no silver bullet. The most effective strategy is a layered one—combining smart technology with clear, people-first protocols.

Here’s how you can strengthen your practice’s defenses:

1. Deploy a Secure Email Gateway (SEG)

Think of it as a smart bodyguard for your inbox.
A SEG filters out suspicious messages—including those that spoof your domain or use trigger words like “payment” and “urgent.”

Look for one that integrates with your current email provider (such as Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace) and is easy for your team to manage. If you have a reliable IT partner, they should have an SEG offering such as Barracuda, Ironscales, or Proofpoint (to name a few).

2. Create a "No Exceptions" Wire Transfer and Payment Request Policy

Establish a “verify-before-you-pay” rule. Some simple guidelines:

• Always confirm any changes to vendor payment info via phone or in-person
• Use known contact details (not what’s listed in the email)
• Create a secondary approval process for payments over a set threshold

Pro Tip: Use recognizable internal names for vendors (like “Dr. Chen’s Lab” instead of “Midwest Dental Labs”) so any off-brand communication raises a red flag.

3. Invest in Regular Cybersecurity Training

Human error is the #1 vulnerability accounting for 60% of all data breaches. Your team is the first—and often best—line of defense.

A few ways to keep everyone sharp:

• Host short training sessions quarterly
• Share examples of recent scams targeting dental offices
• Teach staff to spot red flags: urgency, misspelled domains, payment changes
• Run phishing simulations to test recognition skills
• Remind your team that it’s okay to pause and ask, “Does this feel right?”

“We’ve had clients who avoided thousands in losses because their team flagged a suspicious email after one of our trainings,” says Dan Edwards, CEO of Pact-One Solutions.

You Don't Have to Face Cyberthreats Alone

When you partner with Pact-One, you’re not just getting a support line...you’re gaining a proactive IT team that:

• Detects threats before they reach your inbox
• Implements industry-standard email protections
• Keeps your team sharp and security-savvy
• Understands the specific risks dental practices face

We call it managed IT with a preventative mindset.

Ready to Stop BEC Scams Before They Start?

Don't wait until it’s your practice in the headlines. Let us help you build an airtight email defense and keep your data—and your dollars—safe.

🛡️ Learn more about our cybersecurity services for dental practices
📘 Download our FREE guide: “Ultimate Cybersecurity Guide for Dental Practices”
💬 Explore your options by connecting with one of our dental IT experts today!

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FAQs from Dental Teams About BEC Scams

We got an email from our dentist asking for a payment to a new vendor...how do I know if it’s legit?

If something feels off, don’t second-guess yourself...verify it. Call or talk to the dentist in person before sending any money or updating account info. BEC scams often impersonate familiar names with small changes you might miss at a glance.

What does a BEC scam actually look like in a dental office?

It could be an email that looks like it’s from your supply rep or lab asking you to pay an invoice—but the bank account has changed. Or it could be a message from your “dentist” saying they need a wire transfer urgently. These emails usually look professional and believable.

Wouldn’t our antivirus software catch something like this?

Not always. Most BEC scams don’t include malware or suspicious links. That’s what makes them so dangerous...they’re designed to fly under the radar of traditional security tools by using real email accounts or carefully spoofed ones.

Our team is busy and wears a lot of hats...how can we spot scams quickly?

Teach your team the basics:

• Always double-check any requests involving money or account changes.
• Look closely at email addresses (like @dentalc0rp.com instead of @dentalcorp.com) and not just the name (like Dr. Baker – drbaker@adbdental.com instead of Dr. Baker – companyemail5623@gmail.com).
• Slow down when something feels urgent. Urgency is a common red flag in scams.

We recommend regular 5-minute huddles or quick lunch-and-learn sessions to keep everyone sharp.

What should we do if we think we’ve already fallen for one?

Don’t panic, but act fast:

1. Notify your dentist or practice manager immediately.
2. Call your bank/credit card company and try to stop the transaction.
3. Contact your IT provider or cybersecurity partner (like Pact-One) ASAP.
4. Change any affected passwords.
5. Report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

Can Pact-One help prevent these types of scams?

Yes, and we already are for thousands of dental offices.
We provide:

• Advanced email protection tools
• Cybersecurity training for your team
• 24/7/365 threat monitoring and response

Let’s talk about keeping your inbox (and your money) safe.

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Dental IT. Remove the Burden. Embrace the Use.

Quality patient care – it's ultimately why you became a dental professional. But, some business operations can get in the way (such as pesky computer issues or lack of IT support). That’s where Pact-One Solutions can help! Our passion lies in supplying reliable, responsive dental IT support and security that practices can count on.

Whether you’re looking for dental IT services for your startup or searching for more responsive dental IT support – our team of dental IT specialists have you covered. With team members throughout the United States, we offer nationwide support to dental practices of all sizes, specialties, and stages of growth. Our wide range of dental IT services ensure your data is secure, accessible, and protected.

Don't let technology challenges hinder your ability to deliver exceptional dental care. Contact us at info@pact-one.com or 866-722-8663 to join over 3,000 dental professionals thriving with the support of a dedicated dental IT team.