WestJet provides update on ongoing phone scam

CALGARY, Nov. 5, 2014 /CNW/ - WestJet today provided further information regarding the ongoing telephone scam that has plagued WestJet and other prominent Canadian brands while frustrating thousands of Canadians from coast to coast.

For several years, unscrupulous telemarketers purporting to be from WestJet and other Canadian companies have called random telephone numbers across the country in an effort to sell potentially questionable holiday packages to Mexico. They spoof the real number they are calling from with a more familiar phone number from local area codes to increase the likelihood that the person will answer the phone.

The company names represented on these phone calls have been:

WestJet does not use telemarketers or make telemarketing phone calls, nor does it share guests' private information with third parties for the purposes of telemarketing. The airline is not connected in any way to any of these companies.

WestJet continues to bring this issue forward to various government agencies both in Canada and in Mexico in the hopes of bringing this situation to a close and will report any updates as they become available. In the meantime, Canadians can 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:
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)
2013 Highest equity score: airline, vacation package supplier brands (Harris/Decima EquiTrend Study)

Connect with WestJet on Facebook at facebook.com/westjet
Follow WestJet on Twitter at twitter.com/westjet
Subscribe to WestJet on YouTube at youtube.com/westjet
Read the WestJet blog at blog.westjet.com

SOURCE: WestJet