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Hybird
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Could someone explain why putting a shopping bag over a debit car make it readable for the scanner? I've always wonder why this is, and I'm almost certain it has to do with physics.
I've never heard of that trick, but I know of a few instances of cellophane tape being applied. From what I've seen, the fault usually lies in the reader, not the card itself. Cards work some places and not others, so I suspect that some readers have more discrimination than others and are more sensitive to imperfections. I thought that the tape might help to stabilize micro-fractures in the magnetic material, but a bag wouldn't do that. Maybe it just covers surface irregularities that would cause the card to 'skip' a bit due to uneven contact with the reader slot.Hybird said:Could someone explain why putting a shopping bag over a debit car make it readable for the scanner?
Antiphon said:The magneitc stipe must be very close to the scanning head to make
a successful read. Even a bag's thickness is too far away.
Kazza_765 said:No this happens to me quite regularly. My card works everywhere except at the 7/11 just down the road. Everytime I go there the guy behind the counter gets a plastic shopping bag, puts it over my card and presto, it goes through. I don't have any idea why, but this trick certainly does work.
Oh I see. I had it backwards.
Placing a bag over a debit card works because it creates a barrier between the card and any potential skimming devices. These devices rely on close proximity to the card's magnetic strip in order to read and steal information. By placing a bag over the card, it becomes more difficult for the skimming device to read the card's information.
While placing a bag over a debit card can provide some protection against skimming devices, it is not a foolproof method for preventing fraud. It is still important to monitor your account regularly for any suspicious activity and report any unauthorized charges to your bank.
A bag can prevent skimming devices from reading a debit card's information by creating a physical barrier between the card's magnetic strip and the device. This makes it more difficult for the device to read the card's information and decreases the chances of fraud occurring.
Yes, there are other methods for protecting against debit card fraud. Some include using chip-enabled cards, signing up for text or email alerts for account activity, and regularly checking your account statements for any unauthorized charges.
No, it is not necessary to place a bag over your debit card every time you use it. While it can provide some protection against skimming devices, it is not a foolproof method and may not be practical for everyday use. It is important to continue to monitor your account and take other precautions to protect against fraud.