Dump your credit card.

[Neonkiss]

Please be ware of the next possible scam coming our way.
I don't normally pass along email hoaxes and crap email, but this is possible
Check out the news report in the link and then dump your credit cards if you have one of these.

http://www.wreg.com/videobeta/?watchId=8ba6f8fc-90a2-4711-90ea-1884ec348310

[knagl]

Ha.  They showed that on a recent episode of NCIS -- I thought it was all just Hollywood magic, though, not actually possible.

On the plus side, so long as it isn't on your debit card, you don't have much to worry about as you can easily dispute the charge(s) that start to appear.

[poppo]

Most on-line places need the security code and also verify name, address, etc. So just having a CC number is pretty worthless. any resturant that you hand your card over to the waiter has access to the same info.  IMO they are making a bigger deal out of this than it is. Don't you think the CC companies had already thought of this?

Companies such as Chase (which issues the Blink card) and American Express (ExpressPay) claim that RFID chips are built with strong encryption -- 128-bit and Triple-DES (Data Encryption Standard) -- to protect information. Additionally, the chips are supposed to send unique, one-time use codes for each transaction -- codes that do not match the number printed on the card. Chase senior vice president Tom O'Donnell says the combination of unique tokens, switched-on readers and transaction processing is like "tumblers in a lock."

Any time you remove a card from your wallet, you already are showing your credit card info to anyone within eyeshot, and much of conventional skimming occurs when customers either lose their cards or hand them over in restaurants and stores. There, waiters or cashiers can swipe the card through their own card readers as well as the store's.

However, if the reassurances of the credit card industry aren't enough to calm your nerves, there are other options. You can try the old tinfoil-in-the-wallet trick, or you can get a wallet lined with nickel-impregnated nylon that blocks all RFID transmissions. In our tests, it worked.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/how-to/4206464

[channelmaniac]

Keep your cards in a shielded mylar anti-static bag... or in aluminum foil.

Same thing for your passport.

You can disable the chip with a knife. Just crack the chip. Then it's only good for the magnetic stripe like a standard card.

[stayouttadabunker]

I think the credit card companies should pass out free wallets...

[jay]

A RFID encrypted or not is just a unique number.
In the case of a passport you need the system database to be able to look up the individual.
The person who walks up beside you and hijacks your RFID number is not going to have the database to be able to look up your name or picture etc.
So they cant discuise himself as you or even know your name.

The current process is that they scan the barcode on your passport and brings up your details on line.
They give you the once over and check out if the pic online matches the physical passport as well as your face.
In the RFID world you are simply replacing the chip for the barcode.

If the guy swipes your passport - he can dress like you and make his face look like you, dye his hair to try and match the picture etc.
RFID or Barcode if he has your passport he has your passport.

If I go to some countries ie Switzerland the hotel is required to retain your passport for your entire stay. Its now easy for someone to copy your passport.
Barcodes are easy to copy amd re-print. Encrypted RFID are not because if you give it the wrong challenge code you get the wrong answer. In this way your passport is now a bit harder to forge.

Some groups have stolen passport blanks from Embassys and have been creating their own passports that look in everyway legit, however none of the id is in the database so the inter-loper will try and cross border locations where there is limited technology and the border agent must rely on the physical document for verification. Eventurally this gap will be closed.

I still worry about the cyber crime of someone entering in bogus info into the passport database or changing what is there. As I think this will be easier than getting past the border with fake documentation.

[StatFreak]

This issue has been around for several years. It's first major appearance in the news occurred after the Mobile Speed Pass was introduced.

As Knagl noted, and despite what the credit card companies might imply, the reality is that card holders have no liability as long as they do their due diligence and check their statements for unauthorized charges every month. One of the reasons that the credit card companies rape customers with usurious interest rates is to pay for these fraudulent charges, so in essence, the customer has already paid in advance for this type of theft.

Of course, if one is cavalier about one's finances and doesn't check one's charges carefully each month (and I know some people who don't) then one might end up paying for things he or she didn't buy.


Debit cards are a different matter, because the banking laws haven't completely caught up to 21st century technology (despite the Check-21 act) and because the banks don't make that much money on their checking customers (fees, mostly, and interest profit from lending out some of the funds.) One will most likely still get their money back after filling out a fraud report, but not always, and in many cases the customer will be left overdrawn until the investigation is concluded, which can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. I've been on the banking-side of such investigations, so I have some small understanding of the process.

Stat

[StatFreak]

BTW, one thing you can do to minimize potential checking account losses is to keep a low balance in the account and to remove any overdraft protection. Keep the money in a savings account that is not linked to the checking account (for overdraft protection) and transfer money manually as needed. This will also save you banking fees. You could even go into the bank and request that the standard overdraft limit on the account be lowered or removed completely.

These measures require you to pay attention to your balance so that you don't overdraw the account yourself, which shouldn't happen if you are diligent. Casual banking customers who don't look at their ATM receipts and who throw their bank statements into dark cobwebbed drawers need not apply.

[poppo]

I personally don't know why people use debit cards anyway. I use a rewards point credit card and pay the balance in full evey month. I put evey single thing I can think of on it. I usually end up with a several hundred dollars in gift cards evey year from the points. I'm surprised they have not found a reason to cancel my account since I never pay them a dime in interest.

[StatFreak]

...I'm surprised they have not found a reason to cancel my account since I never pay them a dime in interest.

Granted that you're not their best customer, but don't forget that they make anywhere from 1.5% to 3%+ from the merchants on every dollar you charge. SOMEbody has to pay the piper.  

[poppo]

Granted that you're not their best customer, ....

LOL. Only with credit card companies is someone who pays their bill in full and on time, not a 'best customer'. 

[PWRSTROKE]

The orginal post from Neonkiss deserves a K+.  I read it yesterday and have showed some friends the clip.  I knew about this but it just shows again how small-time Hi-tech organized crime is.  Then there is the High level crime going on daily on these same basis.  ------------ .   You cannot nab or shoot those which you cannot see or get to---Same as being raped (A simular feeling I would think).  B.

[jay]

In Canada Debit Cards are very popular. Mostly because it doesn't cost to use them.
When I lived in the US my debit card with Dollar bank was accepted at the local walmart with a 1.25 fee.
If I use my Canadian card in the US it is accepted as a Visa but the charge comes directly out as a withdrawl.

We have 4 major banks - TD, BOM, Royal, Scotia and then a few other international banks like HSBC, HKB.
All of the banks have recipicol agreements so for the most part you don't pay a fee when using any one of the 4 banks.
With my no-fee plan (with min balance) I get 4 out of system withdrawls free and 30 in system ATM transactions.
You can find a local bank machine from any of the 4 in any province or territory in Canada.

I just recently hit NYC and Washington on business and found that there were TD banks popping up there as well.
Scotia Bank is very popular in Mexico City as was HSBC.

I do however also use my Visa Card for most transactions to the tune of 40-50k monthly (for business) and collect the travel points.
I do have one vendor that negotiates me to pay cash if the margins are tight.
He then bills me net-30 as that is what he gets from his supplier and if I pay within the timeframe he further discounts by 1%
Visa nails him 3%