What Happened to Palm Bay's Payment Portal and How to Pay Your Bills Now
Palm Bay's payment portal was hit by ransomware in February 2026 and remains offline
The City of Palm Bay's online bill payment system was compromised by a ransomware attack in early February 2026. The portal that residents used to pay water, sewer, stormwater, and other city bills went down and has not been restored. The city has not announced a timeline for bringing it back online.
While the portal is down, you still owe your bills on their regular due dates. Payments made through alternative methods count the same as portal payments — they are not late if they arrive by the due date shown on your bill. The city has published several ways to pay without the portal, and we've listed them below.
Key Takeaways
- Palm Bay's online payment portal has been offline since the February 2026 ransomware attack and no restoration date has been announced.
- You can pay by phone, mail, automatic bank transfer (ACH), or in person at city hall without using the portal.
- Payments are on time if they arrive by the due date on your bill, regardless of which payment method you use.
- If you normally paid through the portal, switch to one of the alternative methods now to avoid late fees.
- Contact Palm Bay's billing department directly if you have questions about your account or need help choosing a payment method.
How to pay your Palm Bay bills without the portal
Palm Bay Utilities has published four ways to pay while the portal is down. The fastest is automatic bank transfer (also called ACH or electronic check). You give the city your bank account number and routing number once, and they pull the payment on or near your due date each month. There is no fee, and you do not have to remember to pay — the money moves automatically.
To set up automatic transfer, call Palm Bay Utilities at the number on your bill and ask for ACH enrollment. You will need your bank account number, routing number, and the account number from your bill. The setup takes a few minutes on the phone.
Phone payment is the second option. Call the same number and give the representative your account number and a debit or credit card. They will process the payment over the phone. There is usually a fee for credit card payments (typically $2 to $5 depending on the card type), but debit card payments are often free. Ask about the fee before you give your card number.
Mail payment is the slowest method but costs nothing. Write a check or money order, include your account number on the back, and mail it to the address on your bill. Mail takes 5 to 10 days to arrive, so send it at least two weeks before the due date to be safe. If you mail a check that arrives after the due date, you may be charged a late fee even though you sent it on time.
In-person payment at Palm Bay City Hall is also an option. You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card. Bring your bill or account number. City Hall is open during regular business hours — check the city website for exact hours, as they may have changed since the attack.
What to do if you were charged a late fee after the attack
Some residents received late fees on bills that were due while the portal was down. If you tried to pay through the portal and could not because it was offline, contact Palm Bay Utilities and explain what happened. Include the date you tried to pay and any screenshots or confirmation numbers you have.
The city has discretion to waive late fees in cases where the outage prevented payment. There is no may provide they will remove the fee, but it is worth asking, especially if you have a history of on-time payments. Put your request in writing (email or letter) and keep a copy for your records.
How ransomware attacks affect city services and your account
Ransomware is malicious software that locks up computer systems and data until the victim pays money to the attacker. When a city's payment system is hit, it usually means the attacker gained access to the network and encrypted files — making the system unusable until the city either pays the ransom, restores from a backup, or rebuilds the system from scratch.
The attack does not erase your account or your payment history. The city's billing records still exist on other systems. Your account balance, due dates, and payment history remain intact. When the portal comes back online (or if the city builds a new one), your account will be there with all the correct information.
During an outage, the city still sends bills and still expects payment by the due date. Late fees can still be charged if payment does not arrive by that date. This is why switching to an alternative payment method immediately is important — it protects you from late fees while the portal is down.
When the Palm Bay payment portal might come back online
As of now, the city has not announced when the portal will be restored. Ransomware recovery can take weeks or months depending on how badly the system was damaged and whether the city has good backups to restore from. Some cities rebuild their payment systems from scratch rather than restore from backups, which takes longer but may be more secure.
Check the City of Palm Bay's official website and your bill for updates. The city will likely announce the restoration on its homepage and may send an email or bill insert when the portal is ready. Until then, use one of the four payment methods listed above.
Protecting yourself from payment scams during an outage
When a city service goes down, scammers sometimes send fake emails or texts claiming to be from the city and offering to help you pay your bill. They ask for your account number, bank information, or payment card details. These are scams.
The real Palm Bay Utilities will never ask for your full bank account number, routing number, or credit card number by email or text. If you call them using the number on your bill, you can safely give that information over the phone to a representative. If you receive an unsolicited email or text asking for payment information, do not click any links or reply. Delete it and call the city directly using the number on your bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be charged a late fee if I pay by mail and it arrives after the due date?
Yes, most utilities charge a late fee if payment arrives after the due date, even if you mailed it on time. Mail takes 5 to 10 days, so send it at least two weeks early. If you are worried about timing, use automatic transfer or phone payment instead — both process immediately or on the date you choose.
Can I pay my Palm Bay bill through my bank's bill pay service?
Some banks allow you to send a check through their bill pay system to any address, including Palm Bay Utilities. Check with your bank to see if they offer this. The check will be mailed from your bank, so allow 7 to 10 days for delivery. Make sure to include your account number on the check.
What if I cannot afford to pay my full bill right now?
Contact Palm Bay Utilities and ask about payment plans or hardship programs. Many utilities allow you to split a bill into smaller payments over a few months. The sooner you call, the more options you may have. Do not ignore the bill — late fees and service disconnection can follow if you do not communicate with the city.
Is my personal information at risk because of the ransomware attack?
Ransomware attacks sometimes expose personal data, but not always. The city should send a notice if your information was compromised. Watch for official announcements from Palm Bay and monitor your credit report for suspicious activity. If you see charges you did not make, contact your bank or credit card company immediately.
Do I need to do anything special when the portal comes back online?
When the portal is restored, you can log in with your existing username and password (unless the city asks you to reset it). If you set up automatic transfer or another payment method while the portal was down, you can keep using it or switch back to the portal — whatever works best for you. You do not need to re-register your account.