[BreachExchange] Hackers Stole $2.3 Million From Trump Reelection Account In Wisconsin

[Destry Winant]

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2020/10/29/hackers-stole-23-million-from-trump-reelection-account-in-wisconsin/#34c5cfe65bb2

TOPLINE

Hackers have taken $2.3 million from the Wisconsin Republican Party’s
account supporting Trump’s reelection, the party’s chairman told The
Associated Press on Thursday, a campaign disruption in the critical
swing state less than a week from Election Day.

KEY FACTS

Wisconsin Republican Party Chairman Andrew Hitt said that suspicious
activity in the account was identified on Oct. 22 and reported to the
FBI the next day.

According to Hitt, the hack appeared to start as a phishing attempt,
which is when scammers pose as someone else over email or text to
extract personal information.

The hackers were then able to alter invoices from four vendors
providing pro-Trump material and direct mail so that payments from the
Wisconsin Republican party went to them instead of the vendors,
funneling away a total of $2.3 million.

“Obviously, the hackers were extremely skilled and knowledgable,” said
Hitt, explaining: “They came into one of the most vital battleground
states at the perfect time when resources are being spent.”

This hack, which is being investigated by the FBI, follows a brief
seizure of the Trump campaign’s website by scammers earlier this week.


CRUCIAL QUOTE

Hitt emphasized that the Wisconsin Republican party still has the
resources need to support Trump through the final days of the
election. “The president’s reelection plan is in place,” he said.
“It’s an extremely strong plan moving forward and being implemented. A
lot of those things are in place.”

BACKGROUND

Wisconsin is one of a handful of states won by a thin margin by
President Trump in 2016 that seems to be moving in Democratic nominee
Joe Biden’s direction this election cycle. The Biden campaign also has
the upper-hand in terms of funding, entering October with nearly
triple the cash of the Trump campaign. Biden started the month with
$180.7 million, while Trump had just $63.1 million.