Credit Cards That Don't Require Swiping

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If you can touch and go to buy something, someone can design a touch and go theft device put in a purse or briefcase. Just a slight bump in the shopping mall and your info is lifted. They need to design a cover that you can use to block your RFID signal or touch and go proof wallets, purses, etc. This was the first thing that came to my mind when these came out years ago. AND what about if you can't/don't take the tag off? Can someone figure out how to pick up very weak signals (like a robber) to see what you have in your house???

annon of MS 12:31PM April 04, 2010

it's the mark of the beast. The Federal Government is making all Americans get one of these chips with their Biometrics on it thru REALID, WHTI, Enhanced Driver's Licenses, TWIC, etc... Your right hand marks (biometric fingerprints) and/or your forehead marks (retina scan or facial recognition photo) are programmed onto these chips and you can do all of your buying and selling using your right hand marks (biometric fingerprints), forehead marks (retina scan or facial recognition), the chip itself, or the worldwide unique EPC number your Biometrics are now tied to! It is also very important to note that not only is every American supposed to have one in their Driver's license since May 11th, 2008; but every British citizen is getting one (with DNA and retina scans) in their National ID. Each of the 1.2 Billion people in India too! China already has them. Russia too! Wow! That's like 3/4 of the world population by naming like 5 countries! Too bad I didn't name half the countries that either have it or are getting it around the same time! Get ready to do all your buying and selling using your right hand marks (Mark of the Beast), your RFID microchip (name of the Beast), and/or your worldwide unique EPC number (Number of the Beast)! Technology is so great I think I want to puke! Especially when everyone says how much better than cash it is or how convenient it all is! That's great!

Persecuted American forced into TWIC of CA 12:51AM August 22, 2009

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Aboutittcf 8:03PM July 19, 2009

Was there any research done on the three areas of concern?

Privacy from Marketeers: There is no new privacy issue from Marketeers when using Contactless payments vs. today's mag-stripe. The transaction process exactly the same at merchants.

Security: RFID is based on Smart Card technology, technology that has been used in many fields for years. For contactless payments, the card issuers uses dynamically changing data to prevent any illegal use of a consumers card data. This is a big increase in security vs. that of static data of mag stripe payments today.

Disputes: Again, no difference if you pay with Contactless payment cards or mag-stripe cards. For consumers, any dispute resolution is exactly the same.

Hans of CA 12:40PM June 22, 2009

This is much more than a pilot by some banks. It is a payment revolution, just like ATM cards and check cards have become commonplace. I have been using my contactless credit card for more than three years also. I just added a pre-paid payment sticker linked to my credit card account on my phone so now I don't even have to take my wallet out. Look closely at the payment terminal you use to swipe your card on and you will see a flat area with a little radio wave symbol on it. If you card has a similar symbol on it, than you have contactless too! I just used it this week in CVS, McDonalds, and a taxi in Philadelphia. Its great - and safe.

Randy in NJ of NJ 11:01AM June 18, 2009

Your article mentions the concerns with unauthorized reading of RFID enabled cards (e.g., credit cards, driver's licenses).

Smart Tools' RFID Shield prevents any unauthorized reading of RFID cards by blocking RF transmission to & from your card.. It is a card sleeve that you slide your card into, and it's small so it fits in a wallet.

There's more info and pictures at:

http://smarttools.home.att.net/rfshield.htm

Byron of CA 6:51PM June 17, 2009

I've been using contactless on my Amex / Visa for 3 years now... This story may be a bit late.

Michael of MA 4:09PM June 17, 2009

there are probably crooks all over the place trying to figure out how to turn up the juice on some device and buy all kinds of things on your card just because you walked by. Can't you just imagine?

Muser of NM 11:53AM June 17, 2009

I work for a gift card company. We already have merchants using this technology. People love it and it really speeds up a long line.

Chris of CO 11:25AM June 17, 2009

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Alpha Consumer

Kimberly Palmer, senior editor for U.S. News & World Report, writes about making smarter financial decisions. She’s the author of Generation Earn: The Young Professional's Guide to Spending, Investing, and Giving Back.

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