Hackers managed to break into US Airways’ frequent flyer accounts and steal the air miles.
US Airways spokesman Bill McGlashen told TravelMole that the carrier "noticed suspicious activity after customers reported that miles were deducted, and so we looked into what was happening, and notified state and federal officials."
No credit card or social security numbers were compromised, he said, but customers whose Dividend Miles frequent flyer accounts were hacked were offered a free year of LifeLock identity-theft protection as a precaution.
McGlashen declined to reveal the exact number of accounts affected or miles taken, citing the fact that this is an ongoing police investigation, but WSOC TV in Charlotte, NC, reported that 7,700 accounts were breached.
Customers were asked to check their account balances and if necessary contact the Dividend Miles service centre for assistance.
By Cheryl Rosen and Diane Evans
