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Cyber attack hits three councils in Greater Manchester

20/08/24

Mark Say Managing Editor

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Image source: istock.com/Dra Schwartz

Three local authorities in Greater Manchester have been affected by a cyber attack that has left their residents open to a phishing scam.

Manchester City, Salford City and Bolton Councils have been hit by a breach going through housing software provider Locata, according to a report by the BBC.

It said the attack hit one borough late last week and spread over the weekend, leading to thousands of users being sent a phishing email asking them to “activate tenancy options” and hand over personal data.

The overall picture on the extent to which people’s data has not yet become clear.

A spokesperson for Locata told the BBC: “We moved quickly to manage the issue and, working with third party IT experts are investigating the matter," a statement from the firm said.

"We have informed those local authorities impacted and our investigation is ongoing. We would like to apologise for what has happened."

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