Computer glitch causes $500k in accidental payments

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – The Oregon Department of Human Services accidentally sent payments of more than $500,000 because of a computer glitch.

The Statesman Journal reports that DHS communications director Gene Evans says the glitch occurred earlier this week as the agency switched computer operating systems.

The money was sent from the child welfare program to 73 vendors, including foster parents.

The department uses software that was written for Windows XP, which Microsoft no longer supports. When the department upgraded its computers, the billing system began malfunctioning in Windows 7.

The department says the database is no longer issuing payments and is being fixed over the weekend.