Cyber Attack on Department of Employment Services, DC

According to sources, Department of Employment Services (a Government organization in District of Columbia) was hit with a cyber attack. It was first reported on 2021-08-31.

D.C. Unemployment Recipients Are Being Targeted By Official-Looking Scam Emails

“• “Numerous recipients of unemployment benefits in D.C. have received suspicious emails from D.C. government accounts over the last two weeks, indicating a possible intrusion into city computers by scammers attempting to coax confidential information from people with information in official databases.” • “Each of the emails was sent from DC.gov accounts belonging to actual city workers, some of whom work for the Department of Employment Services — which handles unemployment benefits — and others who do not.” • “…another email was sent from the account of Shanta Suggs, who works at DOES as a compliance investigator. It asked the recipient to text a New York number for further information on how to collect an additional benefits payment. DCist/WAMU sent a text to the number, and received a response requesting copies of “supporting documentation such as front and back of your driver license along with your [Social Security number] or SSN card to process your claim.” • ““The D.C. Office of the Chief Technology Officer investigated reports of compromised D.C. Government email accounts that were used to collect information from members of the public. The team locked the accounts and prevented further action from being taken,” said Parker. “D.C. Government is in the process of contacting members of the public who responded to these compromised accounts so that they can take action to protect themselves.” • “Parker added that the city has not been immune to the “continued nationwide trend of cyber criminals taking advantage of UI claimants,” and asked that anyone who receives a suspicious email report it. For her part, Silverman urges people never to share personal identifying information over email or text message.” “