Article: State stuck with $475,000 phone bill: ; 'Predator' stole access code from Web site

The state Board of Physical Therapy got stuck with a $475,000 phone bill after someone in Taiwan went online and stole an agency conference call access code that was posted on the Secretary of State's Web site, state officials confirmed Monday.

The state Legislature's Commission on Special Investigations and federal authorities are investigating the alleged fraud.

The astronomical bill included charges for international phone conference calls made by a scammer in Taiwan, according to four state officials with knowledge of the investigation. The therapy board posted the access code online as part of a public meeting notice.

"It was a mistake. The number was hijacked," said Matt Turner, ...

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