Fla. hacker gets 7 years for key role in theft of credit card numbers from TJX, BJ’s Wholesale

Hacker gets 7 years for stealing credit card data

BOSTON — A federal judge in Boston has sentenced a Florida man to seven years in prison for playing a key role in one of the largest theft of credit and debit card numbers in U.S. history.

Christopher Scott of Miami was also sentenced Monday to three years of supervised release after pleading guilty in September 2008 to conspiracy, unauthorized access to computer systems, access device fraud and identity theft.

Scott’s expertise was hacking wireless networks. His sentencing came four days after Albert Gonzalez was sentenced to 20 years in prison for leading a scheme that cost companies, banks and insurers nearly $200 million.

He pleaded guilty last year to breaking into the computer networks of major retailers, including TJX Cos., BJ’s Wholesale Club and the restaurant chain Dave & Buster’s.