$1.4M Fraud Uncovered After Portland Cybersecurity Breach

PORTLAND, OR — Portland uncovered a $1.4 million fraudulent transaction after detecting a cybersecurity breach.

The city said Friday it uncovered the bogus transaction, which happened in late April, after it flagged a second attempted phony financial transaction from the same account May 17.

Preliminary evidence showed that an unauthorized, outside entity accessed city email account to conduct the transactions.

A cyber incident response team is investigating and trying to determine the severity of the breach, as well as ensure that technology and policies are in place to prevent future breaches.

The city said it is working to hold those responsible accountable. The FBI, U.S. Secret Service and city police have been notified.