Posted by CorpJen on 10/4/12 4:04pm
Msg #437203

new credit card problems - Huge Alert

Wi-Fi Symbol on your Credit Card

YOU WONT BELIEVE THIS IS HAPPENING. WATCH VIDEO AND CHECK YOUR CARDS.
Check your newer credit cards for the Wi-Fi Symbol on it. You need to
watch the video below to really know why I sent this to you.

I read this about a couple weeks ago, and then checked my cards for
the little "Wi-Fi Signal Icon" on each one. I found none w/that signal
on them, but I was determined to watch for it when my cards came in on
renewals. Well, yesterday I got my CHASE SLATE card AND THERE IT WAS !
My first time to see it. I'll not activate that card after seeing
this. I guess I'll go to the bank and see if I can replace it w/a non
Wi-Fi (Radio Frequency Card)....?

Thought all my contacts ought to see this if you've not already seen
this demo....wow!

http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/lLAFhTjsQHw%26sns=em

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 10/4/12 4:26pm
Msg #437205

Yup, those RFID tags are everywhere.

Just goes to show you that a little tinfoil hat may not be so crazy afterall.

Seriously, though, all of my cards have those protective sleeves. Not so much because of the scanning devices, but to protect them from become demagnetized. I accidentally managed to demagnetize one of my debits cards once.... that was a bit of a nightmare, so now I keep them in sleeves.

They also make entire wallets that are lined with material that will block RFID scanners. Same concept as the sleeves and foil.

Reply by MikeC/TX on 10/4/12 5:23pm
Msg #437211

Or not...

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

Reply by LKT/CA on 10/4/12 8:29pm
Msg #437222

This isn't anything new. Those chips have been in credit/debit cards for years and years. I believe you actually have to "opt-in" with your card issuer for the ability to wave your card over the reader at the store. It's not automatic just because the card has that chip. Therefore, those people in the video who's cc info the guy was able to get with his card reader have opted-in with their card issuer.

Besides that, with identity theft and fraud on the rise, banks and credit unions seem to be on top of things. Recently, I went to Home Depot to get a few items for my hubby who was re-doing the lawn. I spent about $200. That particular Home Depot was out of stock on something else he wanted so he went to another HD and spent about the same. Next day, he tried to use his card to get gas and the sale was declined. Turns out, our credit union canceled his card (unbeknownst to him) due to "suspicious activity" and reissued a new one.

I wouldn't worry about it - it's nothing new and before a crook could wipe you out, the types of charges, the amounts and the frequency will send red flags to your card issuer.

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 10/4/12 11:02pm
Msg #437240

I think that you have very limited legal liability for that

I think a stolen card carries maybe a liability limit of $50.

Reply by sueharke on 10/5/12 12:50am
Msg #437249

Me thinks you trust too much when you say banks care about customers and their credit card or debit card safety. If you ever call customer no service because there is a problem with a credit or debit card you have experienced the problem. Many times unless a customers demands to climb the ladder to an employee with authority to help resolve an issue (3 or 4 levels), nothing is resolved. Ever try to talk to the same customer no service rep more than once???? That is another impossibility.

The X-files philosophy of "trust no one" applies here.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 10/5/12 2:26am
Msg #437255

So true about most banks. (There's bound to be some exceptions out there somewhere - if there are any left...) Like your comments about "customer no service"! Hopefully we've all heard the sage advice to never accept a "No" from someone who doesn't have the authority to say "Yes"!

Reply by NVLSlady/VA on 10/5/12 9:17am
Msg #437273

Good banks/credit unions do monitor account history/activity for fraud. My CU will shut it down quick if some irregular activity is recognized - like me on a yacht in Tahiti buying . . . well, whatever Tahitians buy. Sometimes, companies are too "cautious" and overprotective of their customers' privacy. It took me a whole morning yesterday to resolve a service issue with Verizon because all I had was the business phone no.- NOT the account no. I was like, how many evidence of identity do I need? It was add-on service and I hadn't taken time to login to view the bill with acct. info. OK I was just busy multi-tasking, etc. But what if I was on the road . . .

OK - back to Post: Important to check for "zero Liability Protection" for lost/stolen cards as most financial institutions won't hold you responsible for unauthorized charges.
If you're found negligent in maintaining the account/card - such as recording your pin - that's another story. I worked for a large credit union several years and the stories you hear!

BTW, if you aren't a member of a credit union, put it on your priority list. One of the Best things I've ever done; you seem to matter just a little bit more than with a bank. Of course, as was mentioned 'Customer Support' these days is almost non-existent.

Reply by MikeC/TX on 10/5/12 4:23pm
Msg #437351

It should also be noted that in the video, the guy doing the skimming had to be on top of these people before he was able to capture their info - in most cases, you have to be right next to (as in inches away) from a reader in order for a RFID chip to work, because they just don't transmit that far. If you watch the video, he is touching his reader against the card or wallet. Even if he were able to do this in real life without being arrested for attempted groping, having more than one of those cards in your wallet or purse would yield a useless jumble of nothing.

Two other points - he admitted in an interview that there is no evidence this has ever happened anywhere. And he's not a security researcher - he works for a company that sells envelopes and special wallets that would shield RFID transmission in case you accidentally got within 2 inches of a bad guy with a RFID reader - which means he has an agenda. This may be a case of a solution searching for a problem...

Reply by PegiT_MN on 10/5/12 10:04am
Msg #437289

This very story was just on the local news last night.....

.......the newscaster said a very high tech problem with a very low tech solution.......he then took a hole punch and punched a small round hole straight through the little wi fi symbol and said that takes care of the problem. Very informative.

Reply by NVLSlady/VA on 10/5/12 11:17am
Msg #437303

Hole punch

and it makes it nice for a key chain! Of course, I stopped carrying my keychain card on my keys 'cause that was just asking for trouble for me. Vendors still enjoy seeing when I pull out the little thing (: