MEDIA CONTACT:\u00a0Judd Anstey
\nMEDIA ADVISORY: 12-056
\nRELEASE DATE:\u00a0Oct. 5,\u00a02012<\/p>\n
DALLAS \u2013 <\/strong>Recent advertisements in Auto Trader and major metropolitan newspapers offering automobile sales through a company calling itself \u201cExchange Inc.\u201d has consumers calling the Army & Air Force Exchange Service for answers.<\/p>\n \u201cBased on phone calls we\u2019ve received, it appears someone is using the Exchange\u2019s trademarked logo and name without permission to purportedly sell vehicles in the United States,\u201d said the Exchange\u2019s Loss Prevention Vice President Rick Koloski. \u201cThe phone calls we\u2019re getting are from consumers who inquired as to whether the advertisements were legitimate. One caller did tell us that they had placed an order, sent money, but had yet to take delivery.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite the fact that military exchanges do not have the authority to sell vehicles in the continental United States, the individuals responsible for these advertisements have left consumers from Texas to Colorado with the impression they are doing business with the Department of Defense\u2019s oldest and largest exchange service.<\/p>\n \u201cWe really don\u2019t know how widespread the issue is at this point as the investigation is ongoing,\u201d said Koloski. \u201cIn the meantime, we want consumers to be aware of the concern.\u201d<\/p>\n Army and Air Force Exchange Service facilities are located solely on military installations. While the Exchange does have mail order and Internet offerings, the Exchange does not advertise in civilian outlets such as metropolitan newspapers or automobile sales magazines. All advertisements for legitimate Exchange offerings are published in outlets whose audiences are mostly comprised of military members. \u00a0<\/p>\n — 30 —<\/p>\n The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is a joint non-appropriated fund instrumentality of the Department of Defense and is directed by a Board of Directors which is responsible to the Secretaries of the Army and the Air Force through the Service Chiefs of Staff. \u00a0The Exchange has the dual mission of providing authorized patrons with quality merchandise and services at competitively low prices and generating non-appropriated fund earnings as a supplemental source of funding for military morale, welfare and recreation programs. To find out more about the Exchange history and mission or to view recent press releases please visit our Web site at http:\/\/www.shopmyexchange.com<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n ###<\/p>\n \u00a0Media Notes:<\/strong><\/p>\n For more information or to schedule an interview with an Exchange representative please contact Judd Anstey, 214-312-3861 or Anstey@aafes.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\t