How to destroy/hammer an RFID chip in a passport
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 208
How to destroy/hammer an RFID chip in a passport
I know the best way to destroy an RFID chip in a passport is by hammering, but do I have to put a cloth on the passport before hammering, to protect the passport? And what surface should I hammer on? Is there a way to verify the chip has been disabled?
Also, do Passport Cards or enhanced driver's licenses have an RFID chip?
Thanks!
Also, do Passport Cards or enhanced driver's licenses have an RFID chip?
Thanks!
#6
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#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 208
#8
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 208
#9
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Monterey Bay Area
Programs: Independent Libertarian
Posts: 326
Do Not Damage/Microwave RFID's
First, IF the card SHOWS visible damage it will NOT be accepted as valid!
Second, IF you microwave the card will melt at the "logo" IF there is one and not be Valid or Accepted
Third, Intentional damage to disable an RFID on a Passport Card is criminal.
***It's much simpler to keep covered in a protective sleeve or to wrap in aluminium foil until needed.
This will prevent unwanted reading of card.**
#10
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: YYZ
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Posts: 509
If you are really concerned about your privacy (which you have every right to be), consider protecting the cards in their respective RFID-blocking sleeve. Nexus card came with the sleeve. In the case of a passport, you can buy the special case that blocks RFID (I got mine from the SkyMall catalogue in anticipation for the Canadian biometric passport which rolls out next year)
#11
Join Date: Feb 2006
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#12
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PDX
Posts: 908
Considering how easy it is to find videos showing how to hammer an RFID chip, I assume that many CBP officers are aware of these attempts as well. So, if an RFID passport (passport card, EDL, NEXUS, etc) cannot be read with an RFID reader, then it stands to reason that a CBP officer would inspect the document more closely. But then I do not really know how a hammered passport looks like... Maybe, Firebug will comment?
#13
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Wow, I finally found someone that bought something from SkyMall.
#14
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#15
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: United States
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Amtrak
Posts: 4,647
The day mine arrived in the mail, I put it inside a folded thick piece of paper, set it on the garage floor, and went medieval on it with a big hammer. It doesn't look physically any different than before, and its use while transiting various customs areas has been a non-event.