Cyber Incident Victim: Bexar County Appraisal District
Date:
Mar 2022
Location:
United States of America
Summary
The Bexar County Appraisal District experienced significant service disruptions due to high traffic volumes overwhelming its phone systems and online services portal, causing accessibility challenges for users. The organization advised affected individuals to attempt connections later, utilize a callback feature, submit inquiries through departmental contact forms, or schedule in-person appointments for prioritized assistance, while walk-ins remained accepted with potential delays. These operational issues persisted during the incident, impacting public access to property appraisal services and tax-related resources.
| CIA Posture | Motives | Tactics, Techniques & Procedures |
|---|---|---|
| Available to members | 2 motives | 1 technique |
| Threat Actors | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 0 actors | Available to members | Available to members |
Description
On March 20, 2022, the Bexar County Appraisal District (BCAD) experienced significant operational disruptions affecting its public-facing services. The organization reported persistent high traffic volumes overwhelming both its phone systems and online services portal, impairing constituents' ability to access assistance or conduct property-related transactions. This service degradation occurred during a critical period for property tax administration, as BCAD is responsible for appraising all real and business personal property in Bexar County under Texas tax codes. Citizens attempting to contact BCAD via phone encountered persistent connectivity issues, while those using the online portal faced similar accessibility barriers. The disruptions hindered routine operations such as property searches, appointment scheduling, and inquiries related to ad valorem tax processes. No evidence indicated data compromise or unauthorized system access; the incident stemmed from resource saturation rather than malicious activity.
BCAD implemented immediate response measures to mitigate service interruptions, advising affected individuals to retry access during off-peak times. The district activated a callback option to manage phone queue demands and directed users to submit assistance requests through departmental contact forms as an alternative channel. For in-person services, BCAD prioritized scheduled appointments over walk-in visits to streamline building traffic, though walk-ins remained accepted with potential delays. The organization explicitly clarified that these measures excluded informal appraiser meetings or Appraisal Review Board hearings. Service restoration efforts focused on load management rather than technical remediation, as the disruptions originated from legitimate user volume exceeding system capacity. Ongoing public communications emphasized operational transparency and referenced BCAD’s statutory responsibilities under the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practices while services remained intermittently affected.