Topeka online utilities payment system safe for use after cyberattack that may have affected up to 10,000 people

Topeka’s online utilities payment processing payment system is now safe for use by the public after a cyberattack that is now known to have occurred Nov. 1, a city spokeswoman said Thursday.

However, that doesn’t change the possibility that as many as 10,000 Topekans may have been affected, said media relations coordinator Molly Hadfield.

The city announced Monday that it had been notified of the breach Friday afternoon by its utility billing payment system software vendor, Central Square.

Central Square has turned over the information to a forensics investigator, Hadfield said.

City staff members worked with the software vendor on Friday to transition the current online payment system to a more secure platform, as advised by the vendor, she said.

City utility customers who aren’t comfortable using online payment systems because of the recent cyberattack may still pay their bills with cash or check at City Express, 620 S.E. Madison, or at any US Bank location, Hadfield said.