Franklin president says village was victim of cyberattack; funds withdrawn, investigators involved

President David Goldberg announced to the council and attendees that the village had been the target of a cyberattack shortly before Thanksgiving and that funds were wrongfully withdrawn from a village bank account.

Goldberg said village staff noticed the unauthorized withdrawals quickly, and that the affected banks, the FBI and the village's insurance carrier were notified and have assigned investigative teams. "The village was the victim of a cyber attack, and funds were wrongfully withdrawn from a village bank account," he said. "Each [agency] has assigned teams to fully investigate the circumstances." (David Goldberg.)

He told residents the incident is an active legal and criminal investigation and that officials had been advised not to discuss details while investigators work. Goldberg added that the incident appears to be part of a pattern of sophisticated phishing or transfer fraud affecting municipalities and private organizations, and stressed the village will provide cybersecurity training to staff. He assured the public there was not a breach of resident personal data. "No private information concerning any residents has been breached or disclosed, so this wasn't a data breach," Goldberg said. (David Goldberg.)

Village staff said the investigation and insurance claim processes have begun; council members asked that the village share further updates when permitted by investigators.

The council did not vote on any financial remedy at the meeting; the village reported that banks and investigators are engaged to recover funds and determine next steps.