Reading Municipal Light Department Hit By Ransomware Breach

READING, MA — The Reading Municipal Light Department was the target of a ransomware security beach Friday, Feb. 21, the utility said Monday. The IT team is working with an outside consultant to assess and isolate the problem and ensure the technology infrastructure is swept of immediate threats.

Customer financial data, such as bank account and credit card information, has not been compromised, RMLD said. The data is housed in a separate third-party system.

There will be no impact to electric service, according to the utility.

Please note the following:

• Reporting Outages/Service Issues – Customers may continue to report outages and service issues by contacting RMLD at 781-942-6598.
• New Service Requests and Closings – Customers who wish to sign up for service or receive a final read should contact customer service at 781-942-6598.
• Payments - Customers may make payments via the following methods:
• In-person payments: Payments by cash or check will be accepted at the customer service counter during regular business hours. Customers must have a copy of their bill with them for in-person payments. Credit cards cannot be accepted in person at this time.
• Online payments: Payments may continue to be made via Invoice Cloud (http://bit.ly/rmldinvoicecloud). Credit cards will be accepted online, and customers will see their payment reflected on their bank account statement as normal. Autopayments have not been affected and will be processed as usual.
• Pay by phone: Payments may be made via RMLD’s automated payment line at 1-844-368-3946. Credit cards will be accepted via phone, and customers will see their payment reflected on their bank account statement as normal.
• Drop Box Payments: Drop box payments will be accepted as usual.
• Prompt Payment Discounts will be honored despite a potential delay in payments carrying over from Invoice Cloud to RMLD’s billing system.

Updates will be provided regularly as the situation evolves. Customers with questions may contact RMLD at 781-942-6598.