ACH ATTACKS

Written by: Matthew Carley

ACH attacks are happening not only in Nebraska but also around the country.  Common uses for ACH in schools are for Staff payroll and payments to vendors.  Schools use them because they have low or no transaction fees and easy of use to make payments.  Here is a basic explanation of what it is and how to protect against it. 

What Are ACH Payment Scams?

ACH (Automated Clearing House) payment scams involve fraudulent or unauthorized transactions through the ACH network, which facilitates electronic money transfers between U.S. banks. This system handles billions of transactions annually, including:

• Payroll direct deposits
• Bill payments
• Business-to-business transfers
• Government benefits

Because of its speed and efficiency, the ACH network is a prime target for cybercriminals.

How Scammers Exploit ACH

• Use of stolen or fake banking details to initiate unauthorized transfers
• Fast transaction processing makes reversing fraudulent payments difficult
• Scams can cause financial loss, disrupt operations, and damage trust in electronic payments

 How to Protect Against ACH Scams

• Implement robust cybersecurity protocols
• Monitor for suspicious activity
• Educate staff on social engineering and phishing tactics
• Use multi-factor authentication and secure access controls