Heads-Up: A Sneaky New Email Scam Targeting Veterinary Clinics

Heads-Up: A Sneaky New Email Scam Targeting Veterinary Clinics

We want to alert you to a new kind of email scam that’s making the rounds—and it’s clever enough to trick even the most cautious among us.

What’s Happening?

Cybercriminals are now sending emails that look like they’re coming from trusted sources—like Microsoft or even your own clinic’s email system. These emails include a PDF attachment that contains a QR code. When scanned, the QR code leads to a fake login page designed to steal your Microsoft 365 credentials.

This type of attack is especially tricky because:

• The email doesn’t contain any obvious links.
• The QR code is inside a PDF, which often gets past spam filters.
• The sender may appear legitimate, using Microsoft’s own email system to deliver the message.

Why It Matters to You

Veterinary clinics rely heavily on email for scheduling, client communication, and accessing medical records. If someone on your team scans one of these QR codes and enters their login info, attackers could gain access to sensitive data, disrupt operations, or even impersonate your clinic.

What You Can Do

Here are a few simple steps to protect your clinic:

• Be cautious with unexpected PDFs, especially if they contain QR codes.
• Don’t scan QR codes from emails unless you’re absolutely sure they’re safe.
• Verify the sender—even if it looks like it’s from Microsoft or your own domain.
• Report suspicious emails to your IT support or security team immediately.

Final Thoughts

This scam is a reminder that attackers are always evolving. By staying informed and cautious, you can help keep your clinic—and your clients—safe.

If you’d like help training your staff to spot these kinds of threats or want to review your clinic’s email security setup, we’re here to help. https://meetings.hubspot.com/joseph-axne/email