Wireless Credit Card

With the advances in technology these days we now have the wireless credit card. This nifty little credit card looks like your normal, everyday credit card, however it does have a slight difference: It uses a contact-less chip technology that uses a limited range radio frequency built into its chip to enable transactions to be completed by simply bringing the credit card into close proximity of the receiver or sensor to proceed with the transaction.

While these wireless credit cards, also sometimes referred to as "smart cards", seem like a good idea, there is some controversy linked with these cards. Various concerns have been raised about the security of the chip, and the credit card company VISA, have ensured that the transactions that would take place would be secure. A high-level encryption would be used, which would ensure that transactions would be only authorised if secure.

The radio frequency identification (RFID) in each chip is unique and has a high level of encryption involved, which would make it almost impossible to decrypt and used fraudulently. Also in development is the pre-programmed auto-authorised transactions that could take place, for example travelling daily on your local bus, the fare could be programmed into your wireless credit card and when entering the bus, you would simply wave the credit card in front of the sensor and your balance would be authorised immediately.

Many people have questioned if the wireless credit card is even necessary. Are we so involved in our own lives that we have to be rushed at a full pace and cannot even slow down to have our credit card transactions done in the way that we are all familiar with? Many disagree and say that with the wireless credit card we can increase productivity and improve our shopping experiences.

Another concern raised by many is the fact that you could be passing within range of these smart card terminals receiving your wireless credit card chip frequency and you could be blissfully unaware that you are being charged. VISA have announced that this would not be happening, and that the general range of these chips is in the region of about four inches (ten centimetres). This would therefore ensure that you would not be charged for a cup of coffee, three packets of cigarettes and a donut as you walk past your local convenience store!

Whatever your thoughts, this technology is here to stay, and will be improved upon as time goes by.