Redmond Area Park and Recreation District Responds to Vendor Impersonator  Incident, Implements Enhanced Security Measures

Redmond Area Park and Recreation District (RAPRD or “District”) discovered in November 2024 that an unknown party had impersonated a valid District vendor.  The impersonator compromised the vendor’s email system, then redirected a legitimate payment from RAPRD to the vendor into the impersonator’s fraudulent account.

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The District was able to take immediate action upon discovering the crime, and, working swiftly alongside local law enforcement, was able to successfully recover one third of the transferred funds.  The vendor impersonator currently retains an estimated $336,999 of District bond funding intended for construction of the new community recreation center.  The Board wishes to assure District citizens that this loss will not impact the Project’s (indoor community recreation center) construction timeline, nor financing.  The new facility remains on track to open in early 2026.

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RAPRD continues to actively work with local law enforcement and relevant partners to recover the lost funds. The Board remains dedicated to safeguarding the public's resources and will continue to enhance District security measures to better protect against cyber fraud.  Staff have thoroughly inspected District electronic systems and confirmed that the breach was not a result of RAPRD system issues.  District electronic and financial systems remain secure, and no customer or community member data was compromised.

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We appreciate the community’s understanding and support as we navigate this difficult situation.  Any delay in the release of information has been due to the ongoing investigation and while the investigation is ongoing, the District is not able to provide additional comment.  However, we recognize the importance of public awareness around Automated Clearing House (ACH) fraud. The Board is committed to providing residents and businesses with valuable information and resources to help protect themselves from similar scams.

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What You Can Do to Prevent ACH Fraud:

• Establish and follow written procedures for         processing electronic fund transfers.

• Verify payment requests through a secondary     channel, such as calling the vendor directly.

• Regularly review account statements for any       suspicious or unauthorized transactions.

• Be cautious when opening emails or clicking       on links from unfamiliar sources.

• Educate employees on how to recognize and     report phishing attempts.

• Report to law enforcement as soon as                 possible.

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For further inquiries, please contact Katie Hammer, Executive Director at 541-548-7275 or katie.hammer@raprd.org.