Where is the RFID on your credit card?

[Malks]

Did/do you use the same gas stations?

There are only a few stations in Orangeville and I found out later one of them had a history of skimming cards. Since then I have lost faith in all service stations and prefer to use cash only for fuel.

I also have a concern with RFID cards in general. The technology to build the readers is readily available and inexpensive to create. There have been reports of people being able to read your card info right from your wallet or purse as they pass you in a crowd. I was not happy to find my new Visa card is RFID equipped. Now I have to go and buy one of those sleeves to block it from being read when not in use.

 

[DaveTheCanuck]

Not really. If you have multiple cards that have RFID, just store them together (or in adjacent sleeves). Readers can only read one RFID source at a time; throw multiple together and they won't be able to read.

Anyone who wants to test this, next time you're paying for something with RFID, take two of your RFID cards and hold them together while you "tap". It won't read.

Also, RFID payments are limited to $50 ($100 at gas stations), so even if someone does manage to scan your butt and steal a card, they're not getting away with much. Not enough information is transmitted via the RFID chip to make online purchases or create a complete clone.

 

[oomis]

There have been reports of people being able to read your card info right from your wallet or purse as they pass you in a crowd.

It's on the internetz, it must be true!

I work in the industry, for a big 5 Canadian FI, running a big piece of the credit card business. We have millions of cards in the market right now, and I can tell you for a fact that the number of confirmed cases of RFID skimming in our customer base have been zero.

 

[imnothng]

It's on the internetz, it must be true!

I work in the industry, for a big 5 Canadian FI, running a big piece of the credit card business. We have millions of cards in the market right now, and I can tell you for a fact that the number of confirmed cases of RFID skimming in our customer base have been zero.

But but but, I saw an episode of NCIS where this happened... You're going to tell me it's not trues....

 

[oomis]

To the detriment of tinfoil sales everywhere, RFID skimming is not a concern.

 

[Invincible]

I have been wondering why I have been approved every time hugged the gas pump. It all makes sense now.