Peabody Residents Impacted by Cyber Attack on City Systems

Mayor says the attack occurred last summer and affected residents are being notified.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt announced that the city was the victim of a cyber attack last summer that involved accessing the network and copying files. The mayor said the attack was immediately reported to the FBI, State Police, and other specialists, who helped secure the system within 24 hours. Affected residents are being notified by letter and a dedicated call center has been set up to assist them with free credit monitoring and identity theft protection.

Why it matters

Cyber attacks on local government systems are becoming increasingly common, putting residents' personal information at risk. This incident highlights the need for robust cybersecurity measures and transparency from local officials when such breaches occur.

The details

According to Mayor Bettencourt, the cyber attack involved accessing the city's network and copying files. The mayor described the incident as "honestly sad and deeply frustrating" and said the city has carefully reviewed the affected files to determine what information was involved.

  • The cyber attack occurred last summer.
  • The city secured its systems within 24 hours of the attack being reported.

The players

Ted Bettencourt

The mayor of Peabody, Massachusetts, who announced the cyber attack and the city's response.

FBI

The federal law enforcement agency that was notified and assisted in securing Peabody's systems.

Massachusetts State Police

The state law enforcement agency that was notified and assisted in securing Peabody's systems.

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What they’re saying

“It's honestly sad and deeply frustrating that these kinds of cyber incidents have become a routine part of modern life.”

— Ted Bettencourt, Mayor of Peabody (Patch.com)

“These cyber criminals are out there trying to wreak havoc on people who are simply going about their daily lives, and it's unacceptable.”

— Ted Bettencourt, Mayor of Peabody (Patch.com)

What’s next

The city has set up a dedicated call center at 844-518-7398 to assist affected residents with free credit monitoring and identity theft protection.

The takeaway

This cyber attack on Peabody's systems is a reminder of the growing threat of cybercrime and the importance of strong cybersecurity measures and transparency from local governments when such incidents occur.