A news report stated that two members of the popular loyalty program "Aeroplan" affiliated with "Air Canada" lost nearly $13,000 in rewards points after their accounts were hacked, in an incident that raised questions about the security of personal data within programs designed for travelers.

According to CP24, the two members, residing in Ontario and British Columbia, noticed unauthorized deductions on their accounts, which later turned out to be fraudulent transfers made through fake accounts with similar names or using hacked information.

Company's Response and Ongoing Investigations

A spokesperson for "Air Canada" said that the company is aware of the incident and is investigating the matter in collaboration with "Aeroplan", adding that the specialized team "is treating the cases as a top priority to ensure the recovery of points for affected customers and to ensure the protection of accounts in the future."

He noted that these incidents are "rare" and that digital security systems are continuously evolving, urging members to enable two-factor authentication and to update their passwords periodically.

Calls for Enhanced Security in Loyalty Programs

The incident has caused a wave of concern among users of loyalty programs, especially with the increasing reliance of travelers on "Aeroplan" points to purchase airline tickets, book hotels, and exchange them for cash rewards.

Cybersecurity experts have called for stricter identity verification measures and linking accounts with biometric verification technologies or multi-layered authentications, warning that "digital rewards have become a preferred target for hackers due to their market value and ease of liquidation."