What About "Smart" Credit Cards?

Platypii writes "After seeing many ads on TV and around the Internet for the "smart" credit cards (both major companies now have them I believe), I became curious about them. The Visa website was rather vague about it, and only proclaimed dreams of merging all your cards -- of whatever type -- into one. Anyone know the technical details of these cards? The privacy aspects?"

Comments

The Card knows...

[BiggestPOS]

When you are about to make a stupid purchase, and then renders the numbers invalid. For example, if you try and pick up the Waterworld DVD, now only will the card not work, it will also kick your ass. Really handy if I say so :)

If only the sales reps were as smart as the cards

[EvlPenguin]

Just last week I recieved a phone call from a young lady quite eager to sign me up for a new Vis a card with a built in smart chip. But first, I had a question:

Me: "Yes, well, before I sign up, I'd like to know; is that smart chip silicon based or germanium based?"
Her: "...uhm... excuse me?"
Me: "Well, if a company doesn't know this kind of basic information about the products they are selling, that's not a company I would do buisness with. Good day."

Needless to say, they have yet to call back.

They're all over Europe

[HaeMaker]

A friend of mine told me a story about going to Europe and having to explain to a clerk that his credit card didn't have a smart chip in it, she would have to slide it in the other thingie. He ended up having to slide the card for her.

For some things, the US is way behind.

Smart Card Chip?

[mESSDan]

Hmm, I wonder if you overclock the chip in a smart card if you get more cash?

;)