Loyal School District deals with ‘swatting’ threat

The Loyal School District informed parents that the district was the target of a “swatting” threat last week.

The school district sent out a message via the Remind app for parents and guardians April 11 letting them know that the Loyal School District, as well as neighboring school districts, were the target of an email-based swatting threat late in the afternoon April 10, which occurred through an email communication that was sent to school administrators and the district office.

“Swatting” involves a prank call or other false threat, usually via an internet-based communication, to cause disruption or distress.

“Unfortunately, schools continue to be a target of these types of false threats,” Loyal District Administrator Chris Lindner wrote in the parent message. “Please be advised, there is no immediate safety concern and this is determined to be a non-credible threat. The administration is working with the Loyal Police Department to investigate the incident.”

Lindner also listed a few key facts about the swatting incident:

• A cryptocurrency payment was requested.

• Loyal was not specified in the email; no specific school was identified.

• The email claimed to be sent from Ontario, Canada.

• The Loyal School District received information from a neighboring school district that traced the email to an IP address originating out of country.

• The email domain that was used comes from an anonymous service on the dark web.

Anyone with questions is asked to contact the school district office at 715-255-8511.