[LINK] Card threat from app that 'sees' into wallets

[Bernard Robertson-Dunn]

Card threat from app that 'sees' into wallets
Adam Shand and Ben Westcott
The Australian
June 08, 2013

It's been described as electronic pickpocketing, a loophole in credit 
card technology that allows thieves to steal personal financial and 
identity details that consumers carry every day, without touching the 
victims.

A smartphone app, which enables the user to read credit card information 
through clothes, wallets and purses, is causing concern for consumers 
who carry credit cards with near field communication technology.

NFC is an emerging technology for "contact-less transactions" that uses 
radio frequency and is replacing bar codes. It is used in many credit 
cards, including tap-to-pay systems such as MasterCard's PayPass or Visa 
payWave. Its range is limited to less than 10cm, compared with older 
technology such as radio frequency identification that works up to 
several metres from the scanner. RFID is used for freeway tolling devices.

For the rest of the article, do a Google search on the title and click 
on the appropriate hit - it bypasses The Australian's login.

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Regards
brd

Bernard Robertson-Dunn
Sydney Australia
email: brd at iimetro.com.au
web:   www.drbrd.com
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