Ex-Blockbuster employee charged in identity thefts

Washington Times ^ | April 26, 2005 | Chris Baker

[Former Military Chick]

A clerk at a Blockbuster video store near Dupont Circle stole credit card numbers from about 60 customers in 2003, charging to his victims $117,000 in illegal purchases, according to an indictment unsealed in federal court yesterday.

Miles N. Holloman, 25, stole the names, birth dates, credit card numbers and expiration dates, Social Security numbers, and addresses from customers who applied for Blockbuster accounts at the chain's store at 1639 P St. NW, where he worked from February to September 2003, according to prosecutors.

Mr. Holloman and his accomplices used the stolen data to order replacement cards, clothing and other merchandise over the telephone and have it mailed to a victim's address, said the statement from U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Wainstein, whose office is prosecuting the case, and James B. Burch, an official with the U.S. Secret Service.

Mr. Holloman's accomplices then would wait at the victim's home to intercept the mail, the statement said. It did not name the accomplices.

"Holloman allegedly purchased merchandise, ordered cellular telephone service, bought and maintained a car, obtained false driver's licenses and counterfeit credit cards, fraudulently applied for automobile insurance, and traveled — all the time using the Blockbuster video applications' credit card numbers," the charging statement said.

The illegal purchases were made between early 2003 and April 2004, according to the indictment.

Mr. Holloman could face a sentence of between three and five years.

The indictment includes charges of conspiracy, fraud and misuse of a Social Security number. The indictment was returned in February, according to Mr. Wainstein's spokesman.

The indictment was unsealed during Mr. Holloman's arraignment before U.S. District Judge Rosemary M. Collyer.

A status hearing is scheduled for May 12.

[Former Military Chick]

Blocbuster has not received much good press of late. There no longer charging for late fees. SURE they aren't.

Now this, what next?

[1FASTGLOCK45]

I don't do Blockbuster or Safeway anymore... I don't get good fuzzy warm feely vibes from them.

[USNBandit]

Miles N. Holloman, 25, stole the names, birth dates, credit card numbers and expiration dates, Social Security numbers

Same thing happened to me at a military base I was TAD to. Since then both the medical insurance people and the govt credit card companies have lost my data.

[Clemenza]

Ballbuster went to hell after Wayne Huizenga sold it. I was working there at the time (high school years) and although I was happy I no longer had to straighten EVERY SINGLE TAPE in the store, the quality of service and employees really went to hell.

[andie74]

I don't either, for two reasons:

The people that "work" there stand behind the counter, take money, and do little else. Upon my first visit, the movies were shelved incorrectly, couldn't EVER find what I wanted, and so much for alphabetical order.

Second, upon return, I noticed that the soft porn was right next to the children's videos. That, in and of itself, was reason enough.

[Clemenza]

Besides, Safeway has crappy food and surly service. I go to Larry's Markets or, if necessary QFC (Vons for those of you in California).

[1FASTGLOCK45]

Our blockbusters don't have porns that i know of... Maybe your side of the world runs a little different.

[1FASTGLOCK45]

We have "SaveOns" something like that "savon"? Same thing?

I prefer a place called Nob hill, no stupid "Safeway cards". I can't stand those stupid cards. Nob hill give's you the discounts like safeway without the card.

[andie74]

Nothing hardcore. But there was this college girls/cheerleaders in the shower smut right next to the Family films. Look one way, see Bambi. Look the other way...uh...see Bambi. ; )

We switched to Hollywood video after that, but they rearranged THEIR store so that the horror flicks were on one side of the aisle and the end of the kid flicks on the other. Happy to say, however, when I spoke to the manager about it, they changed the shelves around.

[andie74]

Ahh..yes...the Big Brother cards. I HATE those.

[beaver fever]

Those Safeway discount cards are just a way to collect data on individual customer purchases according to address so they can fine tune their inventory so they don't have to order products that don't sell.

I call it "What came first the chicken or the egg marketing."

In other words the customer couldn't buy it because we don't sell it so we won't order it????????

That's not sales it's Soviet bureaucracy.

The result of this strategy is that a small grocery down the road will probably carry a superior product that Safeway doesn't sell because "Our research shows that the consumer demand isn't there."

Try buying Tunisian, Egyptian or Lebanese Olive Oil from Safeway. All you'll be able to find is Petrelli or worse.

[clee1]

Mr. Holloman could face a sentence of between three and five years.

Additionally, he should suffer a few azz-kickings, IMHO.

[lentulusgracchus]

Ahh..yes...the Big Brother cards. I HATE those.

Everyone ought to hate them. See the post after yours.

Catalina Marketing started this stuff. Anytime you get a chance to ding those guys, take it.

[squibz]

I've always called them " Track me I'm an "IDIOT" card."
My wife get's really po'd at me every time I say that.
She has some for the local markets. I hate them but you
have to have them to "save?" a few bucks.
I feel those darn things should be outlawed.
But that's just my opinion.