DataBreachInformation.com
activeNC AG filing · February 20, 2026

Advance Auto Parts Reports Data Breach Affecting 2.3 Million

Advance Auto Parts has filed a data breach report with the North Carolina Attorney General, indicating unauthorized access to its Snowflake cloud environment. This incident, impacting 2.3 million job applicants and employees, exposed personal information including names, Social Security numbers, and driver license numbers.

State
NC
Affected
2,300,000
Breach date
May 23, 2024
Reported
February 20, 2026

What may have been exposed

  • names
  • Social Security numbers
  • driver license numbers

Advance Auto Parts, a major automotive aftermarket parts provider, has formally reported a data breach to the North Carolina Attorney General's office. The company filed details of the incident on February 20, 2026, stemming from an event that occurred on May 23, 2024.

The breach involved unauthorized access to data stored within a Snowflake cloud environment. This unauthorized activity specifically impacted records belonging to both job applicants and current and former employees of Advance Auto Parts.

During the incident, exposed personal information included names, Social Security numbers, and driver license numbers. The filing indicates that approximately 2,300,000 individuals are potentially affected by this event.

Individuals who receive notification about this breach should carefully review the information provided by Advance Auto Parts. It is important to understand which specific data types related to their identity may have been compromised.

To help protect against potential misuse of exposed data, affected individuals are generally advised to place fraud alerts or security freezes on their credit reports with the three major credit bureaus. Regularly monitoring financial accounts and statements for suspicious activity is also a recommended precaution.

The investigation into this data security incident remains active, according to the official filing. Details regarding this breach are based on information made public through regulatory filings.

What to do if you were affected

Based on the categories of information reported in this filing, these steps can help limit the risk of identity theft and fraud.

  • Freeze your credit

    Place a free credit freeze with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. A freeze blocks new accounts from being opened in your name and can be lifted anytime.

  • Replace exposed ID documents

    Contact your state DMV or the issuing agency about replacing an exposed driver's license, passport, or government ID number.

  • Stay alert to targeted scams

    Be cautious of calls, texts, or emails that reference this breach. Legitimate organizations won't ask you to confirm sensitive details through an unsolicited message.

  • Keep your notification letter

    Save the notice you received. It documents that your information was involved and is often needed to enroll in any credit monitoring offered or to join a related legal claim.

What to know about the Advance Auto Parts data breach

How many people were affected by the Advance Auto Parts data breach, and what was exposed?
Advance Auto Parts reported that about 2,300,000 people were affected and lists the following information as involved: names, Social Security numbers, driver license numbers. Your own letter is the best guide to what was exposed about you, since notices are usually tailored to each person.
What should I do after getting the Advance Auto Parts data breach notice?
Keep the letter and the envelope, and note the date it arrived. Freeze your credit with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, change any passwords the notice mentions, and sign up for any free credit monitoring the letter offers. Then check whether you may have a claim.
Is the Advance Auto Parts data breach letter legit or a scam?
A notice from Advance Auto Parts in the mail matches the breach Advance Auto Parts reported to the NC Attorney General on February 20, 2026, which covers about 2,300,000 people. Check that the company name and dates in your letter match that filing. A real notice of data security incident won't ask for your password, Social Security number or a payment — if it does, contact Advance Auto Parts through a phone number or website you find yourself.
Did Advance Auto Parts offer free credit monitoring?
Any free monitoring Advance Auto Parts is offering will be described in the notice you received, along with an activation code and a sign-up deadline. Because Social Security numbers are listed in this filing, identity monitoring and a credit freeze matter more than usual. Signing up doesn't waive any legal rights you may have.
Can I sue Advance Auto Parts over the data breach?
It depends on what was exposed, the law in NC and your own state, and whether you've been harmed. Most people take part through a class action rather than suing alone. Keep your notification letter — it's the proof that connects you to the breach.
Is there a Advance Auto Parts data breach class action lawsuit?
Law firms often open an investigation after a breach notice like this one, and a class action lawsuit may follow. This page doesn't confirm that a lawsuit has been filed against Advance Auto Parts. You usually don't have to join a class action to be included — if a settlement is reached, class members are notified and can file a claim.
How much could a Advance Auto Parts data breach settlement or claim be worth?
There is no set amount, and no Advance Auto Parts settlement is confirmed here. In past data breach settlements, payments depended on what data was exposed and on documented losses — fraud, out-of-pocket costs and time spent dealing with the breach. The filing lists names, Social Security numbers, driver license numbers as involved. Keep receipts and records; they're what damages claims are built on.
Do I need a Advance Auto Parts data breach lawyer or attorney?
An attorney can read your notice and tell you whether a claim makes sense. A case review here is free, and data breach cases are usually handled on contingency, so there is no upfront cost.

Related data breach cases