Media Advisory - WestJet warns public of phishing email scam

CALGARY, Oct. 4, 2019 /CNW/ - WestJet today is warning the public of a new email scam using the WestJet Rewards name and brand likeness to get recipients to sign in or risk having their WestJet Rewards account deactivated.

"WestJet urges the public to be aware of unsolicited or spoofed emails from WestJet Rewards," said Richard Bartrem, WestJet's Vice-President Marketing Communications. "The scammers are using the trusted WestJet name to create alarm around account deactivation in a fraudulent attempt to steal personal information. Please do not follow the instructions. These spoofed emails are not being sent by WestJet or on behalf of WestJet and we have alerted RCMP Canadian Anti-Fraud authorities and urge anyone with concerns to do so as well."

An image of the scam email is attached, and the airline has highlighted typos and grammar errors, a common red flag in phishing emails.

WestJet has more information posted on its advisories page under 'scams' available online: https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/travel-info/advisories

For anyone who believes they may be a victim, please contact the WestJet call centre at 1-888-WestJet and the RCMP Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or visit their website http://www.antifraudcentre.ca/ for more information and to report details.

About WestJet
Together with WestJet's regional airlines, WestJet Encore and WestJet Link, we offer scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe and to more than 175 destinations in over 20 countries through our airline partnerships. WestJet Vacations offers affordable, flexible vacations to more than 60 destinations and the choice of more than 800 hotels, resorts, condos and villas.  Members of the WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of flights and vacations packages to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods, and have access to Member Exclusive fares offering deals to WestJet destinations throughout our network and those of our partner airlines.

WestJet is proud to be recognized for three consecutive years as Best Airline in Canada (2017-19) and awarded among travellers' favourite Mid-Sized Airlines in North America (2019). From 2017-2018, WestJet was also awarded among travellers' favourite Mid-Sized and Low-Cost Airlines in North America. The airline was also recognized among the Economy Class winners in North America, 2018. All awards are based on authentic reviews from the travelling public on TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site. We are one of very few airlines globally that does not commercially overbook.

WestJet is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol WJA. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.

Recent recognition includes:
2019/2018/2017 Best Airline in Canada (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2019 Winner Among Mid-Sized Airlines in North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2019 Number-One Ranked Canadian Airline Loyalty Program in Member Engagement (Bond Brand Loyalty)
2019/2018 Number-One-Ranked Airline Credit Card in Canada (Rewards Canada)
2018/2017 Winner Among Mid-Sized and Low Cost Airlines – North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2018 Winner – Economy, North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2018 North America's Best Low-Cost Airline (Skytrax)
2018/2017/2016 Canada's Most Trusted Airline (Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria)

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SOURCE WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership