Telemarketing Automated Telephone Scheme Warning Remains in Effect for AIR MILES Collectors

TORONTO, March 31, 2014 /CNW/ - Canadians continue to report receiving telemarketing and automated telephone calls from an unknown organization, claiming to be AIR MILES Canada, informing them of the status of their Collector account, or that they have won a prize consisting of thousands of reward miles.

As Fraud Prevention Month comes to an end, the risk of becoming a victim does not. AIR MILES urges Canadians, and our valued Collectors, to protect themselves by never sharing personal information or account information, including account PIN, with anyone who should not have access to it.

These phone calls target Canadians across the country, regardless if they are AIR MILES Collectors or not. We stress that this is not an AIR MILES initiative. We do not use automated messages to notify Collectors they have won reward miles, or regarding the status of their Collector account. In addition, AIR MILES does not ask for your credit card information for purposes of the management of your Collector account.

Any suspicious telephone call that asks for personal information should be reported immediately. If you have been a victim of fraud please contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501, or by e-mail at [email protected].

Visit the Anti-Fraud Centre website to learn more about what steps to take to avoid becoming a victim of telemarketing/automated telephone schemes: www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.

About the AIR MILES Reward Program:
Founded in 1992, the AIR MILES Reward Program is Canada's premier coalition loyalty program with more than 10 million active Collector accounts, representing approximately two-thirds of all Canadian households. The AIR MILES Reward Program allows Collectors to earn reward miles simply by doing their everyday shopping at more than 240 leading brand-name Sponsors, representing thousands of retail and service locations across Canada and leading global brands online. The AIR MILES Reward Program also allows Collectors to indulge in more than 1,200 leisure, entertainment, merchandise, travel and a range of accredited, environmentally-friendly lifestyle rewards. With AIR MILES Cash, Collectors can also have the flexibility to instantly redeem their AIR MILES reward miles in-store towards many every day and high value purchases like gas, grocery, drug store items and home improvement purchases at participating Sponsors.

SOURCE: AIR MILES Reward Program

Media Office, AIR MILES Reward Program, [email protected], 416-552-2352