Several U.S Cities Disclose Data Breaches Following Ransomware Attack by Cybercrime Gang ‘Cuba Ransomware’
The Automatic Funds Transfer Services (AFTS), a billing and customer verification platform was subject to a data breach last month which left its website inaccessible, and its payment platforms unavailable. On visiting the site, a message that states, “The website for AFTS and all related payment processing website are unavailable due to technical issues,” is displayed.
The Automatic Funds Transfer Services (AFTS) is widely used by many cities and agencies in Washington and other US states as a payment processor and address verification service.
The attack reportedly took place on the third of February by a cybercrime gang known as ‘Cuba ransomware’. The group reportedly also stole unencrypted files and deployed the ransomware. The group claims to have stolen; “financial documents, correspondence with bank employees, account movements, balance sheets, and tax documents.” The attack was reportedly not known until the hackers began selling AFTS’ stolen data on their data leak site.
According to reports, a large volume of data was stolen, and this prompted cities using AFTS as their payment processor or address verification service to disclose potential data breaches. The data stolen includes VIN numbers, credit card information, scanned paper checks, billing details, names, addresses, phone numbers, and license plate numbers.
So far, the agencies and cities that have released data breach notifications are California Department of Motor Vehicles; City of Kirkland, Washington; City of Monroe, Washington; City of Lynnwood, Washington; City of Seattle, Washington; City of Redmond, Washington; Lakewood Water District; and Port of Everett.
More agencies, organizations, and cities are expected to disclose data breaches.
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