Several months ago I heard a news story how scammers can read your credit card through your handbag and wallet via a scanner. Then do their damage. I decided to try carrying cards back to back hoping that would mess up any data they were reading. Not based in science, but no solutions were offered in the news story.

Ten days ago the story resurfaced to identify cards at risk. These are the ones you can wave past card readers at the register (as opposed  to sliding via the magnetic strip). I am guessing Shell Pass, and other gasoline cards make use of this technology. Turns out the way to know which cards are at risk is by locating a sound wave symbol on the front or back of your card. Some are called “Blink”.

I found I had such a card, to my surprise, since I hadn’t requested it – nor do I wave my credit card around to charge things.  (I find this humorous: can you imagine if auctions allowed this?) The solution – call your card issuer and ask to have a new card sent – minus the technology. The day I called I experienced LONG waits – I guess I wasn’t the only watching major network news

The fun part: when you cut your old card – there actually IS a tiny chip embedded in all that plastic – must be what my dog has!

Keep your identity safe.