It was a Friday afternoon when the front desk at a local pediatric clinic clicked on what looked like a flight update.
Subject line: “Your Trip to Orlando Is Confirmed – Click to View Itinerary.”
Harmless enough, right?
Except no one had booked a trip.
And by the time they realized something was off, the link had already stolen their login credentials — and opened a back door into the network.
Here’s the truth: these kinds of phishing scams don’t just hit people at home anymore. They’re showing up in clinics, practices, and small healthcare offices across New Jersey — especially during travel season.
Let’s break down how these scams work… and why even a quick click can cost you more than just a vacation.
How the Scam Works
1. A Fake Travel Email Lands in Your Inbox
The email looks official. Logos are perfect. Formatting matches. It might claim to be from Delta, Marriott, or Expedia. Subject lines trigger urgency:
- “Action Required: Confirm Your Hotel Stay”
- “Your Itinerary Has Changed – Click Here”
2. You Click the Link — and Land on a Lookalike Site
It may ask you to log in, update payment info, or download travel details. But it’s a trap.
The second you enter your info, it’s harvested by cybercriminals.
3. The Damage Follows You Home (or Into the Office)
If you’re on a work device — or signed into a company email — malware can spread.
A single click from a travel coordinator or office manager can:
- Compromise shared email logins
- Expose company credit cards
- Install malware that slithers into your network
Why It Works — Even on Smart People
Phishing emails don’t just look real — they feel real. They tap into our urgency, distraction, and seasonal habits.
Vacation emails in May. Amazon scams in December. IRS warnings in April.
Even sharp clinicians fall for them. Not because they’re careless — but because they’re tired, moving fast, and used to trust.
5 Ways to Protect Your Practice
1. Go Direct
Never click a travel link from email. Go straight to the company website or app.
2. Check the Sender
Is it really @delta.com? Or @deltabooking-alerts.co?
3. Train Your Team
Front desk. Billing. Management. If they book travel, they’re targets. Teach them what to look for.
4. Enable MFA (Multifactor Authentication)
If login credentials are stolen, MFA can stop the breach in its tracks.
5. Lock Down Business Email Accounts
Use advanced spam filtering and phishing protection to catch malicious links before they reach inboxes.
Don’t Let a Fake Vacation Ruin Real Work
You built a practice worth protecting. And that starts with keeping every inbox — and every click — secure.
Let’s make sure your team is protected before the next scam slips through.
📋 Start with a FREE Network Assessment
We’ll check for vulnerabilities and give you peace of mind.
Click here to schedule yours now.