WEL Companies, Inc., a Wisconsin-based refrigerated transport and logistics provider, experienced a **data breach** in late January 2025 after detecting unusual network activity. Investigations confirmed that an unauthorized third party accessed or acquired sensitive personal data, including **names, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and non-U.S. national ID numbers** of up to **122,960 individuals**. The breach exposed highly confidential information, raising significant risks of identity theft, fraud, and financial harm for affected individuals. A class-action lawsuit is being pursued by Edelson Lechtzin LLP to seek remedies for victims. The incident underscores the severe consequences of cyber intrusions in industries handling large volumes of personally identifiable information (PII), particularly in logistics and transportation sectors where data security is critical for operational trust and compliance.
WEL Companies, Inc cybersecurity rating report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/wel-companies-wisconsin-express-lines-
"id": "WEL5662456112125",
"linkid": "wel-companies-wisconsin-express-lines-",
"type": "Breach",
"date": "1/2025",
"severity": "85",
"impact": "4",
"explanation": "Attack with significant impact with customers data leaks"{'affected_entities': [{'customers_affected': '122,960 individuals',
'industry': 'Transportation and Logistics '
'(Refrigerated Transport)',
'location': 'Wisconsin, USA',
'name': 'WEL Companies, Inc.',
'type': 'Private Company'}],
'customer_advisories': 'Potential data breach notifications to affected '
'individuals (recommended to monitor credit and '
'accounts)',
'data_breach': {'data_exfiltration': 'Possible (unauthorized access or '
'acquisition)',
'number_of_records_exposed': '122,960',
'personally_identifiable_information': 'Yes',
'sensitivity_of_data': 'High (includes SSNs, driver’s license '
'numbers, national ID numbers)',
'type_of_data_compromised': ['Personally Identifiable '
'Information (PII)',
'Government-Issued Identifiers']},
'date_detected': '2025-01-31',
'date_publicly_disclosed': '2025-11-20',
'description': 'WEL Companies, Inc. detected unusual activity on its computer '
'network on or about January 31, 2025. An investigation '
'revealed that an unauthorized third party may have accessed '
'or acquired certain personal data, potentially impacting up '
'to 122,960 individuals. The compromised data may include '
'names, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and '
'non-U.S. national ID numbers.',
'impact': {'brand_reputation_impact': 'Potential (class action lawsuit '
'investigation initiated)',
'data_compromised': ['Names',
'Social Security numbers',
'Driver’s license numbers',
'Non-U.S. national ID numbers'],
'identity_theft_risk': 'High (personal data exposed)',
'legal_liabilities': 'Potential (class action lawsuit under '
'investigation by Edelson Lechtzin LLP)'},
'investigation_status': 'Ongoing (class action investigation by Edelson '
'Lechtzin LLP)',
'recommendations': ['Monitor account statements and credit reports for '
'suspicious activity',
'Take steps to protect against identity theft and fraud'],
'references': [{'date_accessed': '2025-11-20',
'source': 'Edelson Lechtzin LLP Press Release',
'url': 'https://www.edelson-law.com'}],
'regulatory_compliance': {'legal_actions': 'Potential class action lawsuit '
'(under investigation by Edelson '
'Lechtzin LLP)'},
'response': {'communication_strategy': 'Public disclosure via press release '
'(2025-11-20); potential notifications '
'to affected individuals',
'incident_response_plan_activated': 'Yes (investigation '
'initiated promptly)'},
'threat_actor': 'Unauthorized third party',
'title': 'WEL Companies, Inc. Data Breach',
'type': 'Data Breach'}