Medical, dental, and veterinary practices share a common bond: their focus is squarely on the well-being of patients. But with this mission comes a hidden risk—these practices are increasingly vulnerable to credit card fraud. From storing sensitive financial and health information to managing busy front offices, fraudsters know that patient-centered businesses are prime targets.
The good news? With awareness and the right technology, practices can protect themselves while still delivering a smooth, patient-friendly experience.
Here are some of the most common payment problems dental practices face—and smart ways to fix them.
Why Healthcare and Veterinary Businesses Are Targets
Fraud is not just an occasional headache—it’s a massive, ongoing challenge across healthcare and related industries. Consider these numbers:
The National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association estimates that health care fraud costs the U.S. $68 billion annually, or about 3% of total expenditures—and some estimates are as high as 10%.
In 2023 alone, over 2.3 million cases of medical identity theft were reported, with losses totaling $41 billion.
Healthcare organizations reported 725 data breaches in 2023, exposing over 133 million records—and in 2024, that number soared to 276 million records.
Patient-centered businesses handle a high volume of transactions every day. Whether it’s a copay at the dentist, a prescription payment at a veterinary clinic, or a medical bill at a doctor’s office, fraudsters see opportunities. Some of the most common risks include:
Stolen card use: Criminals test stolen credit cards at clinics or offices, knowing transactions are often smaller and less scrutinized.
Chargeback fraud: A patient or pet owner disputes a legitimate charge, leaving the office responsible for lost revenue and added fees. The “Health & Wellness” sector already experiences an average chargeback rate of 0.86%, showing how disputes are far from rare.
Data theft: Storing card data improperly or using outdated systems creates opportunities for hackers to exploit sensitive information.
Best Practices for Fraud Prevention
Protecting your business from fraud doesn’t just save money—it also protects patient trust. Here are some essential steps:
Use secure payment technology – Always accept EMV chip card payments to reduce counterfeit fraud.
Adopt contactless and mobile payments – Secure, tokenized payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) reduce exposure to card data theft.
Set up fraud monitoring and alerts – Keep track of unusual transaction patterns.
Educate your staff – Train your team to spot suspicious behavior, like mismatched IDs or customers rushing transactions.
Limit data storage – Store only what is necessary and use encrypted solutions.
How PayLow Pro Helps You Stay Secure
At PayLow Pro, we understand the unique challenges that healthcare and veterinary offices face. Our technology is designed not only to lower your processing costs through Dual Pricing but also to protect you against fraud:
EMV and Contactless Terminals: All of our devices support the latest chip, tap-to-pay, and mobile wallet options, reducing fraud risk.
Encrypted & Tokenized Transactions: Every payment is secured end-to-end, so sensitive card data never sits vulnerable on your network.
Virtual Terminal with Advanced Security: For phone or online payments, our virtual terminal adds extra authentication steps to minimize fraud.
Chargeback Management Tools: We help you fight back with detailed reporting and support to dispute fraudulent claims quickly.
By combining cost savings with advanced fraud protection, PayLow Pro gives medical, dental, and veterinary offices peace of mind—so they can focus on patients, not payment problems.
What to do next:
Fraud is a growing concern in every industry, but patient-centered businesses are particularly at risk because of the sensitive nature of their work. By leveraging secure technology and working with a trusted partner like PayLow Pro, your practice can reduce risk, protect patient trust, and keep your revenue safe.
Ready to protect your office from fraud while cutting processing costs?Contact PayLow Pro today to learn more about our secure payment solutions.
Get the Guide
- The hidden fees your practice incurs for card payments
- The differences between traditional processing, cash discounts, surcharging, and dual pricing
- The legalities for federal government, state legislation and card brand regulations
- The correct setup process and implementation of a legal dual price processing program.
