check your credit card

[MarcS]

I just got a new credit card from Chase. Even though i didn't request their "Blink" service, I noticed some concentric lines on the back of my card like this: ))))

hmm, generally concentric lines of increasing size is the universal sign for "hey, there's a transmitter in here!" I whipped out my flashlight and shined it through the card, wouldn't you know it, there was an RFID chip.

I called chase and asked "hey, does my card have an RFID chip in it?" i got an "uhhh" from the other end of the line..."let me check"

A minute later the lady comes back on the phone. "Why yes, you have a 'blink' card. this lets you..."

"yeah, i know what it does, it transmits my credit card information to any highschool hacker with $150, a soldering iron and some free time. Can i get a card without it?"

"let me check." back on hold "No, all of our freedom cards have it"

"why don't you go ahead an tell your boss that some people do not appreciate not having the choice. I'm gonna go find a way to kill this chip....think a hole puncher would work?"

"Uhhhh....probably?"

"never mind"

"have a nice day"


Long story short, i grabbed my hole puncher and popped out the chip.

[NineseveN]

Use a hammer, hole punches are for sissies and guys that carry Glocks, oh darn, wait a minute...


In all seriousness, I'd have done the same thing.

[MarcS]

RFID chips and microwave oven don't get along to well.

neither does the magnetic strip on your card...or the hologram, or the metallic paint. Good way to mess up your microwave and make your card unusable. Hole punch is quick, and, as i found at about 20 minutes ago at the wawa, effective.

[God's Country]

"let me check." back on hold "No, all of our freedom cards have it"

My reply would have been.

"Then stick your card up your ass. My credit, my money, my choice who I do business with." click

[D-FENS]

My reply would have been.

"Then stick your card up your ass. My credit, my money, my choice who I do business with." click

Easier said that done. It reflects poorly on your credit report.

I'm not seeing any waves on mine but want to be sure. Anyone have any methods to tell?

[jsb889]

So what exactly does RFID do in a credit card? I looked it up, but can see of no use for a credit card to have it...sounds like its only used to track the whereabouts of things.

[Atomic Dog]

Yep, i'm not a big fan of those RFID tags either. The AMEX card has one, but considering it stays in the drawer I never took the time to modify it.


The nike + iPod combo also scares me just a bit, hence why I don't have one.
....................And the fact that I don't jog...


JSB: It allows you to pay for things without actually swiping your card. You simply wave it before a scanner and it processes the same. Considering it is not much faster than the normal usage, and the additional, unnecessary range it provides I think the original attempt was more novelty and speed. About the ONLY advantage I can think of is that the magnetic strip will not wear out. This, however is not worth the additional risk.

[God's Country]

Easier said that done. It reflects poorly on your credit report.
?

Not that I give a crap, but I can assure you if you pay your bills on time your credit will be fine. Mine is, and I've told more CC companies to stick it than I can remember.
Not my concern if some bank feels I have a duty to use their services.

[LorDiego01]

I hear a hammer works quite well. And its equally effective on the RFID chip in the new passports...

although, thats a crime that can land you in jail now a days..

[MarcS]

My reply would have been.

"Then stick your card up your ass. My credit, my money, my choice who I do business with." click

Then i wouldn't have a credit card since this is pretty much standard on most credit cards. It's a novelty. I'm sure the novelty will wear off once more people become victims of identity theft because their personal information is literally radiating off them.