Author Topic: Check your wallet -- RFID in Credit Cards NOW (Read 1284 times)

Matthew · « **on:** April 01, 2010, 12:58:11 PM »

We just got our new credit cards, and it was brought to our attention that there's an RFID chip inside! I read a FAQ about them, and apparently they broadcast a small radio signal that stores (as well as thieves) could pick up on.

Talk about a privacy violation! As I walk down the street, my credit card is broadcasting my first and last name, credit card number, etc.!

Anyhow, I just wanted to let you all know -- that you simply need to bash it with a hammer, pierce it, etc. to disable it. We disabled ours.

Matthew

Belloc · « **Reply #1 on:** April 01, 2010, 01:01:45 PM »

WHERE ON THE CARD?

Matthew · « **Reply #2 on:** April 01, 2010, 01:15:03 PM »

You can usually see a small square bulge somewhere on the card.

But more importantly, the card will have things like "PayPass" and "Blink" on the back side. Those are automatic swipe programs.

We looked at another card which doesn't have one -- it's solid plastic. The cards that had the RFID chip were 2 pieces of plastic with glue in the middle. You can tell the difference if you look at the edge of the card.

Matthew

Matthew · « **Reply #3 on:** April 01, 2010, 01:18:45 PM »

I even got to SEE the chip with my own eyes, as we destroyed our 2 expired versions of the card. I cut it open right by the bulge, and there it is! A small chip with a long copper wire acting as an antenna. The antenna provides sufficient power for the chip to broadcast its information.

There are various ways to destroy the chips; I'd like to have a square "punch" to focus a hammer-blow directly on the chip. I would do it on a paper surface, so the card doesn't get scuffed up on the other side.

Matthew

parentsfortruth · « **Reply #4 on:** April 01, 2010, 05:34:25 PM »

I just looked at my debit card and it's one solid piece of plastic.