The Tisbury select board this week learned the town has lost $16,000 to a fraudster who changed the payment information for a vendor’s invoice.

“An email from a town employee was intercepted by an outside agent who took the attached invoice and added wiring instructions to this invoice,” treasurer Jonathan Snyder said at the board meeting Tuesday.

Because the invoice was late and payment was due, he said, the town wired the funds as indicated, only to discover the account was fraudulent.

“The money was then swept out and disappeared. We don’t have any hope of getting that money back,” Mr. Snyder said. “We are fortunate it was only $16,000.”

The select board approved a second $16,000 payment, to the original vendor, and Mr. Snyder said all future wire transfer requests will be confirmed by telephone conversations to ensure the payment information is correct.

Town administrator Joseph LaCivita said he is working with Tisbury’s information technology staff to develop a plan for improving the town’s computer systems and upgrading cybersecurity.

This is the second Island town that has lost money in a cyberscam. Oak Bluffs sent about $300,000 in wire transfers to fraudulent accounts in 2024. The money was intended to go to the developers of an affordable housing project.

In Tisbury, Mr. LaCivita noted he is beginning a search for candidates to replace Mr. Snyder, who is retiring as treasurer next year.

Also Tuesday, the select board renewed a number of business licenses in Tisbury, but asked one restaurateur to return with more paperwork.

The Maker Pasta Shop and Café, which is taking the place of the former Little House on State Road, is seeking to serve beer and wine using the Little House alcohol license until the new eatery has obtained its own all-alcohol license.

The state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission will need to approve any alcohol service, select board administrator Elena DeFoe said, and Tisbury also needs a completed application from the new restaurant that specifies who is responsible for the license.

“We want to get you guys open, but we want to follow the law,” said select board member John Cahill said.