WestJet Data Breach

[Leifster]

Got an email this morning (August 13, 2025 8:41 AM CST) from WestJet, confirming a data breach and the supposed/confirmed severity:
 

Quote

... but may include your name, date of birth, e‑mail address, mailing address, phone number, gender, recent travel booking history including travel booking number, information about the travel document you used when travelling with WestJet (such as your passport or other government issued identification document) and other information associated with your travel needs such as accommodations requested or complaints filed. No credit card or debit card numbers, expiry dates or CVV numbers or account passwords were affected.

 

Their compensation:

Quote

As an additional measure, and to provide further peace of mind, WestJet is offering an identity theft and monitoring solution free of charge for 24 months.

... We have retained the assistance of Trans Union of Canada, Inc. (“TransUnion Canada”), one of Canada’s leading consumer reporting agencies and arranged a 24-month subscription to myTrueIdentity^®, an online credit monitoring and identity restoration service, at no cost to you. ...

A code was provided, which I have removed from the PDF. Additionally, there was another alphanumeric code at the bottom of the page I removed, I'm guessing a case number, but I decided to remove it just incase.


Question for the community, what should I do?

WestJet.pdf

[Donut417]

30 minutes ago, Leifster said:

Got an email this morning (August 13, 2025 8:41 AM CST) from WestJet, confirming a data breach and the supposed/confirmed severity:
 

 

Their compensation:

A code was provided, which I have removed from the PDF. Additionally, there was another alphanumeric code at the bottom of the page I removed, I'm guessing a case number, but I decided to remove it just incase.


Question for the community, what should I do?

WestJet.pdf 230.33 kB · 0 downloads

When Equifax was breached sooooo many years ago I put a security freeze on my credit report. So no one can run a report/ open credit in my name. On occasion the lil get a mailer that says I’m eligible for funds from a law suit. I fill those out and go on with my day. 

[Leifster]

35 minutes ago, Donut417 said:

When Equifax was breached sooooo many years ago I put a security freeze on my credit report. So no one can run a report/ open credit in my name. On occasion the lil get a mailer that says I’m eligible for funds from a law suit. I fill those out and go on with my day. 

So, freeze my credit report? I didn't realize that was an option.

As far as I can see, the only drawback is that creditors may ask that I lift it so I can be assessed for purchases in the future?

 

[Donut417]

2 hours ago, Leifster said:

far as I can see, the only drawback is that creditors may ask that I lift it so I can be assessed for purchases in the future?

Yeah. When I financed my car I had to do a temporary thaw. But mine has been frozen since the Equifax breach. It does have positives, I can’t put my self in to debt on a whim. 

[OhioYJ]

8 hours ago, Leifster said:

So, freeze my credit report? I didn't realize that was an option.

As far as I can see, the only drawback is that creditors may ask that I lift it so I can be assessed for purchases in the future?

 

Correct. For new lines of credit (new loans), your credit will new to be unfrozen. Your credit score can be checked with it frozen, but no new lines of credit can be opened. 

 

It's actually setup pretty nice now, where IIRC the three credit agencies here in the states let you schedule credit thaws. So if I want to go buy a car on the weekend I can schedule my credit to be open during that time, and refreeze automatically.

 

Honestly I'm of the belief everyone should have their credit frozen. This it's an easy way to protect yourself. 

 

On a side note, if you own property, check with your local county. I know mine lets you set up alerts to be notified if anyone tries to make changes to your properties.  

[Leifster]

14 hours ago, OhioYJ said:

if you own property

Hahaha, like I ever will in Canada's climate..... 

Thank you both for the advice... I will use my oh so generous 2 free years to freeze my credit score!