AFTS, Inc. Data Security Issue

Alderwood Water & Wastewater District (the District) was informed that a vendor called Automatic Funds Transfer Services, Inc. (AFTS) was the victim of a ransomware attack. The District contracts with AFTS to handle utility billing and the processing of paper check payments. There is no direct threat to the District’s network as a result of this incident.

The information stored in the AFTS databases is limited to data necessary to fulfill utility billing and payment processing of paper check payments. Electronic payments are processed by a different vendor who is not impacted by the incident. Breached utility billing from the AFTS database may have included the following personal information: utility bill account number, name, address, and billing amounts. Additionally, for customers who pay their utility bills by mailing a paper check, scanned copies of their paper checks are also stored on the AFTS servers which include bank account and routing information. It is unknown at this time whether these scanned copies of checks have been illicitly extricated from the network.

Customers who pay their utility bill by mailing a paper check are encouraged to monitor their bank account for unusual activity and report anything suspicious to their bank right away. The most immediate impacts to our customers are a possible delay in processing check payments or a temporary disruption in viewing a digital version of your billing statement online.

Customers who pay by check are encouraged to use one of the following methods listed below.

1. Pay via online payment portal
2. Call toll free at 1-866-899-1313 for VISA and MasterCard payments
3. Use the District’s drop box in front of the administrative building.
4. Address your payment directly to the administrative building:

Alderwood Water & Wastewater District
3626 156th St. SW
Lynnwood, WA 98087

Alderwood Water & Wastewater District takes its role of safeguarding personal information very seriously. We will continue to keep you informed as we adopt additional measures to ensure the highest level of security for personal information. For questions please contact Jeremy Walker at 206-485-1183 or email us at aftsquestions@awwd.com.