United Personnel payroll hit by hackers; employees’ direct deposits stolen from bank accounts
SPRINGFIELD — United Personnel, the Western Massachusetts staffing company, notified employees on Friday that their most recent paychecks may have been stolen by hackers targeting the firm that handles the company’s payroll software.
A statement issued by United Personnel’s president and CEO Tricia Canavan calls it a “crisis situation" affecting an undisclosed number of employees.
Canavan announced in a statement to the press on Friday that employees have been notified that money that was paid to them on Aug. 30 through direct deposit payments may have been withdrawn from their accounts.
Employees are being told to contact their bank immediately to taken any necessary steps to block any further withdrawals from their account without permission.
The main target of the hack appeared to be AkkenCloud, the software vendor used by United Personnel to process payroll, Canavan said.
AkkenCloud officials notified United Personnel this week of reports of unauthorized “reversal transactions,” where direct deposit funds were"subsequently withdrawn via an automated clearing house transaction a week later."
AkkenCloud serves more than 650 staffing agency clients and manages 14.8 million candidates.
“There are companies all over the country whose employees have been affected by this situation, and there is understandably a lot of anger. We are trying to help direct people on how to take action most effectively in order to get the funds returned to their accounts as quickly as possible,” said Canavan.
United Personnel is working with the FBI, Attorney General and local police, Canavan said in her statement.
“A event like this, which could very well be a cyber attack, is devastating to our employees and our staff. We are committed to helping our employees and are assisting local and federal law enforcement in assessing the situation. It is frustrating and upsetting for everyone involved,” Canavan said.
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