New Hampshire Attorney General Kelly A. Ayotte announces that New Hampshire consumers who have used credit or debit cards at a Hannaford store should carefully review their credit card statements to see if any unauthorized charges have been made. The Attorney General's Office has been in contact with officials from Hannaford who today reported that a data intrusion into its computer network resulted in the theft of credit and debit card numbers. The theft of numbers occurred while purchases were being made when the Hannaford store checked with the vendor that authorizes purchases by credit or debit card.

Attorney General Kelly A. Ayotte stated, "Consumers should always carefully check each credit card statement for unauthorized charges. It is especially important that customers of the Hannaford stores check their recent and next credit card statements."

Hannaford's stores are located throughout New England and New York. Affiliated Sweetbay Supermarket stores in Florida were also affected.

Consumers who find unauthorized charges on their credit or debit card statements should immediately contact their credit or debit card company. Report the unauthorized charges and request that they be removed from your bill. Consumers may also contact Hannaford's hotline at 866-591-4580.

For further information on consumer protection visit the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Web site at: http://doj.nh.gov/consumer.