Looks Like The Guy Who Set The Record For Largest Credit Card Breach Was Breaking His Own Record

from the raising-the-bar dept

Tue, Aug 18th 2009 5:42am — Mike Masnick

Back in January, we noted that it looked like there might be a new winner in the battle to see who was responsible for the largest ever credit card breach. Until that time, the honor had gone to a series of department stores owned by TJX (TJ Maxx, Marshalls, etc.). That involved info on 94 million credit card holders. Not bad. But the newer deal, involving Heartland Payment Systems appeared to effect well over 100 million. Now, you may have seen the news reports this week that have upped that total to 130 million, as part of the announcement of indictments against three individuals for illegally accessing the data. But, what's fascinating is that the one guy in custody, Albert Gonzalez, was already in custody for his role in the TJX hack (along with some other retailers). Oh, and there's also the tidbit about how he was a government informant, handing over info on (you guessed it) the underworld involved in stolen credit card numbers.

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Filed Under: albert gonzalez, breach, credit cards
Companies: heartland payment systems, tjx

9 Comments

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AW, 18 Aug 2009 @ 6:27am

How did this guy...
Why are we letting this guy near an internet connection. They had this figured out in "Hackers". Can we say douchebagery. I say we punish him by making him watch a nonstop loop of VIP, 90210, Guiding Light and Barney. Give him a nutrition drip,a way to evacuate his wastes and a way to make sure his eyes don't close. Cruel? No more than a parent has to go through. Uunusual. I think you can repeat my previous defense.
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- Anonymous Coward, 21 Aug 2009 @ 1:33am
  
  Re: How did this guy...
  Give him a nutrition drip,a way to evacuate his wastes and a way to make sure his eyes don't close. Cruel?
  
  Ever seen the movie A Clockwork Orange?
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Dark Helmet (profile), 18 Aug 2009 @ 6:31am

Haha
I enjoy the fact that the SCAMS icon includes a dialogue bubble with the word "FREE!*"

That must send Anonymous Harold into a seizure fit...
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Anonymous Coward, 18 Aug 2009 @ 7:02am

Business Model
Sounds like the same business model the RIAA, MPAA, and others like those, use the government to get rid of your competition.
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Koki Mourao, 18 Aug 2009 @ 11:01am

Fool me once....Fool me twice
This way we'll allow him to strike again while he is testifying...
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Anonymous Coward, 18 Aug 2009 @ 1:10pm

Counterfeiting is Caring
But credit card numbers are intangible and infinitely copyable?

What's the problem?
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- Dark Helmet (profile), 18 Aug 2009 @ 1:18pm
  
  Re: Counterfeiting is Caring
  Haha, God your stupid...
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Anonymous Coward, 18 Aug 2009 @ 1:57pm

"Haha, God your stupid..." ----------- Haha, God you're ironic... The word is "you're" as in "you're like this guy: http://z.about.com/d/politicalhumor/1/0/n/U/moran.jpg How's your novel coming by the way?
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- Dark Helmet (profile), 18 Aug 2009 @ 2:40pm
  
  Re:
  "How's your novel coming by the way?"
  
  Hey, thanks for asking! It's always nice to know I've made an impression that's remembered!
  
  In any case, since you're a fan, I'll give you an update: Baen takes 9-12 months to issue their acceptance/rejection. They're the 1st publishing house I sent it to.
  
  And nice catch on the homonym. You're really good at that. Can I hire you as my editor?
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