newsminer.com

FAIRBANKS — Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are in the process of notifying 1,500 customers of payment card misuse by a former call center employee.

Affected customers who provided their addresses to the company were sent letters via first-class mail this week. For the remainder of customers, a notice of the details was posted on the company’s Web site.

The former employee, who’s name was not revealed, misused the credit card information given by some customers to pay for reservation charges. Rather than process the payment for Alaska or Horizon, the worker processed the change of flight plans as requested but transferred the funds to a personal account.

The diversions occurred between August 2006 and June 2008.

Customers are not being held responsible for any repayment.

“Alaska and Horizon take their obligation to safeguard customers’ personal information very seriously,” a press release from Alaska Airlines stated. “The company notified law enforcement authorities and is cooperating with their investigation.”

The statement advised affected customers to review their relevant payment card statements to ensure there have not been any unauthorized transactions. The statement further advised customers to contact their card issuer or bank or order a free credit report.

The Airline has offered a reference guide online at www.alaskaair.com for further support.