3 Tips to Prevent a Phishing Attack on Your Dealership

Cybersecurity may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about running a dealership, but in today’s world, it needs to be. Dealerships handle large financial transactions, customer data, and sensitive business information, making them prime targets for phishing attacks.

Phishing happens when criminals trick employees into clicking malicious links or sharing confidential information by pretending to be someone they trust. Just one successful phishing email can compromise your systems, damage your reputation, and cost your business thousands.

Here are three practical tips to help protect your dealership:

1. Train Your Team to Spot Red Flags

Your employees are the first line of defense against phishing. Regularly educate them on how to recognize suspicious emails and messages, such as:

• Unfamiliar senders or misspelled addresses

• Urgent requests for money transfers or gift cards

• Links or attachments that don’t look right

Make it part of your culture to “pause before you click.” Encourage employees to verify unexpected requests through a phone call or in person before taking action.

Run phishing simulations a few times a year to test awareness and keep your team sharp.

2. Protect Accounts with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Even if a password is stolen, MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring another form of verification, like a text code or authentication app. This simple step can stop attackers from accessing email accounts, financial platforms, or dealership management systems.

Require MFA for all employees, especially anyone with access to banking or sensitive customer information.

3. Keep Systems Updated and Backed Up

Cybercriminals often exploit outdated software or unpatched systems. Regular updates help close those gaps. In addition, maintaining secure, offsite backups ensures you can quickly recover data if an attack occurs.

Schedule routine system updates and verify that your data backup is both current and recoverable. Don’t just back it up, test it.

Phishing attacks are one of the biggest cybersecurity threats facing dealerships today, but with the right prevention measures, you can dramatically reduce your risk. By training your team, implementing MFA, and keeping systems secure and backed up, you’ll protect your customers, your reputation, and your bottom line.

At DealeRisk, we believe managing risk goes beyond insurance, it’s about protecting every part of your business. Cybersecurity should be treated with the same importance as your lot security or safety in the shop.