Are “No Swipe” Cards Safe?

Have you heard about the “no-swipe” credit cards that have become increasingly popular? These cards have a radio-frequency identification chip inside of them that allows them to transmit credit card data. To date, millions of these cards have been issued and those who issue the cards swear up and down that they are secure.

In fact, they tote them as being even more secure than other types of credit cards. For all of you tin-foil hat theorists out there, I’ve even heard someone suggest wrapping these cards up in aluminum foil in order to prevent the information from being accessed by identity thieves. Some folks have even gone so far as to create their own foil wallets. Not my recommendation, just what I’ve heard…

Now, I am not an expert when it comes to identification chips and radio-frequencies. But, what I do know is that identity thieves always manage to find a way to work around new credit card security features. With literally millions of dollars worth of credit just waiting to be stolen, it is little wonder they work so diligently to break the latest codes.

My natural pessimism isn’t the only reason for my hesitancy about this new card security feature. What is even more troubling is that researchers at the University of Massachusetts actually proved that the names and account numbers of cardholders can be hacked into with this new security feature. So, while I am not saying the chip is not better than the traditional methods of transmission of credit card data, I am saying that you shouldn’t just follow the trend blindly. It might be better to sit back and watch for awhile first in order to see how it all pans out.

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Tagged as: Security & Technology