Consumer Advisory

If you think you have been the victim of fraud and believe it may be tied to this theft:

File a police report with your local Police Department. You should also contact your credit card company or bank and have them immediately issue you new credit/debit cards or change your bank account number. If you believe you are a fraud victim please call our support line with your name, daytime telephone number and someone from Advance Auto Parts will contact you. The toll-free number is 1-800-704-1154. Customer service representatives will be available to answer questions seven days a week from 8 am until 12 midnight EDT through May 31, 2008.

For additional information on how to further protect your personal information, you can visit the web site of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft

What is identity theft?

Identity theft is when someone assumes the identity of another, often complete with correct Social Security number, current employment information, etc. and takes over their credit and/or bank accounts, opens new accounts and loans, secures cell phones and apartments, all in that person’s name.

How can I prevent identity theft?

Although not 100% preventable, identity theft can be significantly reduced by following these precautions:

A good first step is to Check Your Credit Report regularly and subscribe to a credit monitoring product.

Four additional precautions include:

1. Protect Your Mail by tearing or shredding information that has personal identification such as credit statements, bank statements, pay stubs, charge receipts, unused pre-screened credit applications. Also, rather than place outgoing mail in your home mailbox, deposit your outgoing mail at the post office or a local collection box.
2. Safeguard Your Credit Cards by signing them in permanent ink upon receipt, keeping them in view at all times while making a purchase, not signing blank charge slips, destroying all carbons, saving receipts, limiting the number of credit cards your carry and only giving out credit card number when you initiate the call.
3. Review Your Billing Statements for accuracy and keep them in a safe place. Should your statement arrive late or not at all, contact your creditor to notify them and to get a duplicate statement.
4. Guard Your Passwords and PINs by never writing your ATM PIN in your checkbook or on your card. Additionally, shield your PIN when entering it and use a unique number that is not obvious. And last, never leave your receipts behind; be sure to take them with you.

Please note that Advance will not be sending emails asking for our customers' personal information, and will not be calling our customers to confirm personal information. If you receive an email that purports to be from Advance, or a telephone call from someone claiming to be an Advance representative, you should not provide any personal information (including credit or debit card number, social security number, or driver's license).