The Flagler County school district has fallen victim to a significant financial loss in what appears to be a phishing scheme. The district discovered an “electronic transfer of funds to a possible fraudulent vendor bank account,” prompting an internal investigation and contact with law enforcement, including the FBI and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. While the exact amount involved is not confirmed, reports suggest it may be around $700,000, intended for a contractor or vendor involved in a school expansion project.
Furthermore, the incident highlights the importance of timely reporting in such cases, as the district discovered the fraud in the morning but several hours passed before informing law enforcement. The Sheriff emphasized the critical nature of swift reporting in fraud cases.
The investigation is in its early stages, and while it is challenging to recover funds lost in such scams, efforts will be made in collaboration with federal partners if necessary.
Additionally, the district emphasized that its overall financial stability and data security remain unaffected. The potential fraud is suspected to involve vendor impersonation, an increasingly common type of fraud. The school board and law enforcement will continue to investigate the matter to determine the full extent and nature of the scheme.
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