FIRST Heritage Co-operative Credit Union is in the process of updating its customers about potential irregular financial activities in the upcoming weeks following a recent cyberattack that disrupted its database. The credit union made this disclosure in a member advisory released on Wednesday, stating that they had been working to resolve a system disruption since April 3, 2024. The cyberattack had hindered the credit union’s access to certain information, leading to delays in processing members’ financial requests.
The cyberattack on FIRST Heritage Co-operative Credit Union compromised personal data such as member contact details and other documents used for transactions. Despite this breach, investigations have shown that the credit union’s IT security measures successfully prevented unauthorized access to its core systems. The integrity of members’ financial accounts and those of affiliated organizations remains uncompromised. Upon detecting the breach, FHC took immediate action by collaborating with technology partners to investigate and contain the threat. They also implemented data backup and recovery protocols and enhanced security measures to safeguard their systems.
In a statement reported by Jamaica Observer, FHC stated, “Our investigations so far indicate that our IT security mechanisms were helpful in significantly minimising the risk of access to data on our core systems.” Additionally, as part of their ongoing security enhancements, FHC has initiated a password reset prompt for users of its iTransact banking platform. They are also using automated tools to detect and prevent suspicious activities across accounts and IT infrastructure. The credit union is working closely with cybersecurity experts and law enforcement authorities to address the cyber incident.
Members are advised to remain vigilant for any suspicious financial activities and to regularly update their iTransact banking passwords. FHC emphasized the importance of using unique and secure passwords for online services and cautioned against phishing emails or unsolicited communications following a data breach. The cyberattack on FHC coincided with a report by global cybersecurity firm Fortinet, which highlighted Jamaica’s exposure to 43 million attempted cyberattacks in 2023. The Latin American and Caribbean region collectively faced 200 billion attempted attacks, with Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia being the most targeted countries.
The Cyber Express reached out to FIRST Heritage Co-operative Credit Union for more information on the cyberattack, but as of now, no official statement or response has been provided, leaving additional details about the incident pending verification. It is important for users to note that this report is based on internal and external research obtained through various means, and users should exercise caution and take responsibility for their reliance on this information. The Cyber Express holds no liability for the accuracy or consequences of using the information provided.