City of Providence Online Functions Down for Two Days, Officials Looking Into Potential Hack

City of Providence Online Functions Down for Two Days, Officials Looking Into Potential Hack

The City of Providence’s online government and constituent services have been down for over 48 hours. 

Sources tell GoLocal city officials are looking into the possibility of a hack. 

According to City Councilman Michael Correia, Council members -- along with law enforcement — have been unable to access their city email accounts for over 48 hours. 

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Moreover, constituents have been unable to access city tax-paying portals. 

City Services Down

“I was informed by constituents they weren’t able to pay taxes [online], I was also told from others they weren’t able to pay DMV fees,” Correia told GoLocal. “I inquired with the council office, who said they’d inquire about the issue, and there have been a bunch of emails about the server being down.”

“We were told the IT department was on it to figure out what happened,” he added. “We were told it would be up and running at close of business on Wednesday, but that did not happen. Then they said were told it would be up and running by 3 on Thursday.”

Correia said council members have been informed — by phone — to tell constituents to come to City Hall to pay any outstanding axes. 

“I was told to tell my constituents to comes to City Hall to pay taxes because some taxes were due June 1,” said Correia.   I’m not receiving any email. I can’t correspond with council staff online since the email has been down. It's all been by phone.”

“It’s a city-wide issue — police, 444 Westminster, they’ve all been affected,” said Correia. “Hopefully it’s up soon.”

Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza's office said at time of publication there was "no timeline" for restoration of services.