Customers of Winnipeg's Thermea spa alarmed after notification of …

The parent company of a popular luxury spa in Winnipeg is in hot water after a data breach opened the door for hackers to access a variety of private information from customers. This week, customers who purchased gift certificates from Thermea spa between early November and late February were told in an email that their credit card information may have been compromised, alongside their full names, phone numbers and email and street addresses. Groupe Nordik, the parent company of the spa, said that they learned of the breach in late February, shut down the gift certificate system and hired a third-party firm to investigate.

“We have since enhanced security measures on all Groupe Nordik systems, including the gift certificate system, and will continue to work with the cyber security firm to maximize the protection of our clients’ data,” the email said. Gift certificates that have not been redeemed are still valid, Groupe Nordik said. The appropriate authorities have been notified of the breach and affected customers were encouraged to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity.

Unencrypted credit card info

“What the email didn’t include, though, was any guidance around the risk of identity theft that they have now incurred for me,” John Robins told Radio-Canada in a Wednesday interview.

Robins purchased a Thermea gift certificate with his credit card at a Polo Park kiosk around Christmastime, he said. He has submitted a complaint about the breach to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner. He’s not aware of any fraudulent charges on his credit card, but he’s going through his records again.

Robins was surprised to learn that Thermea saved his credit card information for any amount of time. “I certainly did not think that I was putting myself in that level of risk when I made a simple point-of-sale transaction with Therma.” Gautam Srivastava, a Brandon University professor of computer science who specializes in cybersecurity, said it’s fairly normal for companies to keep the amount of customer information that Thermea did for situations involving marketing and repeat customers.

He said these kinds of data breaches are happening more often, since businesses are prioritizing ease of use.  While paying by the tap of a credit card or phone is speedy and efficient, those practices are not always compatible with good security, Srivastava said. “If you’re looking to encrypt and then decrypt information, there’s time lags there, and so a lot of systems that are built for ease of use find those sorts of things compromised.”

He said Thermea isn’t entirely to blame for the data breach, as malicious attackers often test a number of companies within a specific vicinity in search of system weaknesses. Thermea is a well-loved establishment in Winnipeg, he said, so they won’t necessarily lose all of their business because of the data breach. There are steps Groupe Nordik can take to win back customers, such as keeping their security measures updated and ensuring customers that their information is safe, he said.

Consumers can protect themselves by changing the pins of their bank and credit cards periodically and using strong passwords for their emails, as well as multi-factor authentication or biometric verifications such as fingerprint technology. But at the end of the day, it’s a matter of trust, Srivastava said. “Their brand is going to take a hit for a little bit, but they can take steps in the future starting now to kind of win back some of that trust,” he said.

“When trust is broken in anything, it takes time to win back that trust, and sometimes you never do.” In a statement to Radio-Canada, Groupe Nordik said they hired a third-party cybersecurity firm to investigate the breach and will continue to work with them in the future. “We have since enhanced security measures on all Groupe Nordik systems, including the gift certificate system, and will continue to work with the cyber security firm to maximize the protection of our clients’ data,” the statement said.

Robins said the breach came at an unfortunate time for him and his family, as they lost their house to a fire in January 2022. He said Thermea is a bit of a local institution for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. “I’ve been there many times — really enjoy their service. It’s a real treat to be able to go to a spa.”

But Robins said Thermea will have to win his business back.

“I think giving an email notification that a breach happened is a good first step and I’m grateful for that credit where credit is due,” he said.

“But frankly given the — in my estimation — very weak data practices that this company has been engaged in, I really don’t want to go back to Thermea and jeopardize my data again with that firm.”

Tags:

hawes-and-curtis listed on couponmatrix.ukkukoon-rugs listed on couponmatrix.uksmart-fone-store listed on couponmatrix.uksourcebmx listed on couponmatrix.ukthe-gym-group listed on couponmatrix.ukwilliam-hill listed on couponmatrix.uk
hawes-and-curtis listed on couponmatrix.ukSince its inception, the Hawes and Curtis heritage brand has been adored by the British aristocracy and Hollywood elite. With notable customers including the Duke of Windsor, Cary Grant and Frank Sinatra, you’ll be keeping good company while shopping affordably for menswear with a Hawes and Curtis discount code. Bringing true British style and class to everyone, Hawes and Curtis also offer a generous women's wear section too.
kukoon-rugs listed on couponmatrix.ukA rug can do more for transforming a space than just about anything. From shabby chic rugs for a boho vibe to stylish geometric rugs to add an artistic touch, Kukoon Rugs has it all. Check out the indoor and outdoor rugs available to suit rooms and gardens of every size. If you shop with a Kukoon Rugs discount code, you’ll always get your home furnishings for the best price. With free delivery, 90-day returns and some great prices to boot, Kukoon Rugs should be at the top of your list for a home makeover.
smart-fone-store listed on couponmatrix.ukAs experts in showcasing top tech – from the newest smartphones, to tablets, macs and watches – Smart Fone Store has got your devices covered. When you want to replace or upgrade your favourite gadgets, you can use a Smart Fone Store discount code to knock the cost of your investment. In today’s world, top-notch electronics are more necessary than ever, so grab all your modern essentials whilst paying a pittance at Smart Fone Store. At Groupon, we understand the importance of saving money. That's why we work hard to find the best Discount Codes and Voucher Codes for our customers. We know that everyone's budget is different, so we offer a range of codes to suit all needs. Whether you're looking for a percentage off your purchase, or free shipping, we've got you covered. So why wait? Save now and enjoy great savings! As perhaps the primary competitor to the iPhone, Samsung smartphones offer some of the best and most innovative tech on the market. Expect designs both new and refurbished to be sold at the Smart Fone Store. A Smart Fone Store voucher code can help you save on an array of Samsung smartphones, with an inventory sporting everything from the new Z Fold design to more legacy A models. With the option to pay the full amount upfront or spead the cost over many months, customers can afford a snazzy new Samsung regardless of their budget at Smart Fone Store.
sourcebmx listed on couponmatrix.ukSourcebmx didn't win a Queen's Award for Enterprise for nothing: As one of a handful of large, genuinely rider-run BMX supplies and advice centres on the web you can shop here in complete confidence that you'll be treated in a way that will encourage you to make repeat visits - and you'll make plenty of savings, too. When you incorporate the Source bmx promo code into your arsenal of tricks you'll quickly start scoring some great shopping wins, with bikes, frames, wheels, accessories and more on offer, all supplied by leading, proven, worldwide brands.
the-gym-group listed on couponmatrix.ukThe Gym Group works hard to create a welcoming space for all fitness abilities – whether you’re a beginner, a gym enthusiast or somewhere in between. There are hundreds of Gym Group gyms across the UK with 24/7 access, so you can drop in when you like and make your workout work for you! Whether you prefer cardio classes or hitting the weights, we’ve got plenty of the Gym Group promo codes to help you save on membership and meet your fitness goals.
william-hill listed on couponmatrix.ukThere’s nothing quite like the fun and the thrill of a flutter. With more than 85 years in the game, William Hill has made a name for itself as one of the UK’s leading bookmakers, so grab yourself a William Hill promo code and save a pretty penny on the cost of your bet. Whether on the horses or the dogs, placing a little bet with William Hill is hardly a gamble; you’re practically guaranteed a good time!