COLUMBUS, Ohio — Frustration is growing after hundreds of thousands of citizens’ personal data was leaked to the dark web after a cyberattack against the city of Columbus.
A second class-action lawsuit was filed against the city.
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A foreign cyber threat actor attempted to disrupt the city’s IT infrastructure to deploy ransomware and solicit a nearly $2 million ransom payment from the city. The hacker group Rhysida claimed responsibility for the cyberattack.
Cybersecurity experts say hackers leaked city data on the dark web.
“It's chilling, the potential ramifications of this breach on our criminal justice system, our judicial system, our firemen and police officers,” said attorney Scott Schiff. “We will get to the truth about what happened in this cyber security attack for the city of Columbus and why they weren't better protected.”
Representing both city police and firefighters, the new lawsuit explains the financial impacts to just a few first responders:
"As early as July 29th, John Doe's bank account had unauthorized purchases from big box retailers, and he received a text message stating that his information was leaked in a security break and if he did not pay $500 by midnight then the officer's information would be released to the dark web.
Another said their "checking account was accessed and over a thousand dollars was fraudulently withdrawn from his account."
Another "learned unknown individuals were attempting to take out loans in his name."
“Help get a remedy to really get our people and the public we serve some peace of mind that we are going to have resources to protect our personal information now and in the future,” said Columbus Fire Union President Steve Stein.
In the lawsuit, they are asking the city, to fully and accurately disclose the nature of the information that has been compromised and to adopt sufficient security practices and safeguards to prevent incidents like the data breach described herein in the future.
“The main relief we want now is direction for our firefighters and police officers as to how safe they are. Does the city know more information than we are getting?” Schiff said.
“Whether this attack was preventable or not, time will tell. What we know is preventable is their lack of transparency. I think that is what bothers me the most,” said Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 9 President Lt. Brian Steel.
10TV reached out to the city and were told they will not comment on pending litigation.