Credit card scam warning.

[The Backlash Cometh]

I don't have a link to it, this comes from word of mouth. There is a scanner about the size of an Ipad that people can hold in their hand and walk by you in a crowd. All they have to do is put the scanner near your wallet or purse for 5 or ten seconds and it can pick up all the information from your card.

The only protection against this scanner is a special sleeve. Don't know where you buy them, but if anyone knows, please feel free to post it here.

[monmouth]

1. I heard wrapping your cards in alum. foil works also. Don't know for sure...n/t

[GoCubsGo]

10. That's what I heard, too. n/t

[tridim]

2. Thanks, but everything about credit cards is a scam.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. Snopes says mixed

http://www.snopes.com/fraud/identity/pickpocket.asp

[Kelvin Mace]

4. Always be skeptical

of things people can't document.


Skepticism and Snopes are yo9ur friend:

http://www.snopes.com/fraud/identity/pickpocket.asp

[wtmusic]

6. Thanks, this sounded farfetched.

It appears it's only feasible with RFID-embedded cards, and then under very special circumstances.

[Drale]

5. That would only work if you had one of those fast pass chips in your card

and I think I saw that on NCIS, not that it couldn't be real but just saying.

[DainBramaged]

7. RFIDs only, ( Radio-frequency identification ) does not affect regular credit cards

RFIDs broadcast like little radios, so they are susceptible to electronic pilfering.


Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is a technology that uses communication via radio waves to exchange data between a reader and an electronic tag attached to an object, for the purpose of identification and tracking.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio-frequency_identification

[CountAllVotes]

8. they put RFIDs in the new (er) US passports I believe

I remember when they started doing this a couple of years ago and my passport was about to expire. I remember I was relived to find I got one of the "old" ones before the new ones were being sent out.

:kick:

[TwixVoy]

11. The stupid hurts....

Please people do your homework before fear mongering.

The RFID chips in passports DO NOT CONTAIN ANY INFORMATION BESIDES A LONG NUMBER. When read and entered in to GOVERNMENT COMPUTERS they point to your passport record. Once again - THE CHIP CONTAINS ZERO PERSONAL INFORMATION.

The number is completely worthless unless you are a federal employee working for the state department.

It's like me telling you my drivers license number is 1234455 as a stranger passing you on the street. It means not a damn thing to you as you have no idea who I am nor will you likely ever see me again the rest of your life. It is worthless without knowing more about me such as name, date of birth, address, social, etc. Unless you work for the DMV you can do absolutely nothing with that number by its self.

See this article: http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/faq/faq_1741.html

But hey don't worry.... There are plenty of people willing to sell you pieces of aluminum foil (oh I'm sorry "aluminum sleeves") for 10 bucks a pop to protect yourself from the evil passport reader.

[CountAllVotes]

12. I still don't trust it

Sadly, I spent many of my best years in life working for a place known as the "Federal Government".

:puke:

:kick:

[knowbody0]

9. this psa brought to you

by the manufacturer of the sleeve??

[DainBramaged]

14. I can sell you this many for this much if you send me this much (scissors included)

[madinmaryland]

13. Made by the same company that brought you this...

:tinfoilhat:

[TNDemo]

15. Here's an article about it.

http://www.nbc-2.com/Global/story.asp?S=13463897