A September email phishing attack in which online thieves stole paychecks from 27 Atlanta Public Schools employees will cost the district roughly $300,000.

Online scammers tricked unsuspecting employees into clicking on a fake link that allowed thieves to access payroll login information and reroute direct deposits. The district immediately announced it would repay employees for the stolen paychecks, which cost the district $56,459.

As part of its response to the attack, APS spent $150,000 for a one-time “forensic investigation” done in coordination with law enforcement to review the breach, according to a district spokesman. The district also will spend $32,653 a year for three years on a contact with Wombat Security Technologies to educate staff and students about cyber security.

About the Author

Keep Reading

FILE - President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as he signs executive orders in the White House on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Credit: AP

Featured

Students in Jeremy Lowe's fourth grade class at Parkside Elementary read "warm-up plays" they wrote on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. Atlanta Public Schools saw significant improvement in fourth grade math and reading scores on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez