WestJet provides further update on phone scam

March is national fraud awareness month in Canada

CALGARY, March 12, 2015 /CNW/ - WestJet today provided another update regarding the ongoing telephone scam that continues to implicate WestJet and other prominent Canadian brands.

Following the last WestJet news release on this matter in November 2014, the perpetrators appeared to move on and instead use the names of other brands. However, the calls have returned in recent weeks, beginning by suggesting "you have won 999 WestJet dollars."

"We share the frustrations of the Canadian public," said Richard Bartrem, WestJet Vice-President, Communications and Community Relations. "We recognize how infuriating it is to receive these calls and we remain committed to use every legal means at our disposal to stop the perpetrators from using our name. To that end, we continue to work with regulatory and government agencies in Canada and Mexico."

WestJet does not use telemarketers or make telemarketing calls, nor does it share guest information with third parties for the purpose of telemarketing.

"We cannot emphasize strongly enough that WestJet is not making these phone calls nor are we associated in any way with the people who are," said Richard Bartrem. "And we encourage anyone who receives one of these calls to hang up immediately and under no circumstances provide the callers with any credit card numbers or other personal information."

As part of Fraud Awareness month, WestJet reminds Canadians to report these phone calls and other fraudulent activity to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/english/index.html or by calling 1-888-495-8501.

Canadians who are registered on the National Do Not Call List should also report these phone calls to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission through the list operator at http://www.lnnte-dncl.gc.ca or by calling the toll-free number 1-866-580-DNCL (3625). Information such as the date and time of the call, the telemarketer's name and telephone number, the telephone number that received the call and any additional information that would identify the caller or on whose behalf the call is being made, such as a website, will help the CRTC's enforcement officers.  

About WestJet
We are proud to be Canada's most-preferred airline, powered by an award-winning culture of care and recognized as one of the country's top employers. We offer scheduled service to more than 90 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe. Through our regional airline, WestJet Encore, and with partnerships with airlines representing every major region of the world, we offer our guests more than 120 destinations in more than 20 countries. Leveraging WestJet's extensive network, flight schedule and remarkable guest experience, WestJet Vacations delivers affordable, flexible travel experiences with a variety of accommodation options for every guest. Members of our WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Our members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of WestJet flights and vacations packages on any day, at any time, to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods – even on seat sales. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.  

Recent recognition includes:
2015 Best Employers in Canada (Aon Hewitt)
2014 Interbrand Canada's Best Canadian Brands (Rank #20)
2014 Brands of the Year (Strategy magazine)
2014 Canada's Most Preferred Airline (Ipsos)
2014 Value Airline of the Year (Air Transport World magazine)
2014/2013/2012 Canada's Most Attractive Employer (Randstad)
2014/2013 WestJet RBC MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (Money Sense magazine and RewardsCanada.ca) 
2013 Highest equity score: airline, vacation package supplier brands (Harris/Decima EquiTrend Study)

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SOURCE WestJet

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