Hackers Try to Steal $150,000 from United Way

By Brian Krebs
Krebs on Security
February 3rd, 2010

Hackers broke into computer systems at a Massachusetts chapter of the United Way last month and attempted to make off with more than $150,000 from one of the nation.s largest charities.

Patricia Latimore, chief financial officer at the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimac Valley, said unknown attackers tried to initiate a number of bogus financial transfers out of the organization.s bank account, but that the United Way was able to work with its bank to block or reverse the unauthorized transfers.

"We were able to pretty much capture things as they were happening,"
Latimore said. "Fortunately, we saw it on the day that it occurred."

The intruders attempted to send more than $110,000 in unauthorized payroll transfers to at least a dozen individuals across the United States who had no prior business with the United Way chapter. At least one large wire transfer was attempted, for nearly $40,000, to a 32-year-old man in New York.