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After the international payment systems Visa and Mastercard suspended operations in Russia, banks extended the life of the cards, and some made them unlimited . Financial organizations made this decision out of fear of a shortage of “filling” for the production of cards, primarily chips. But due to physical wear and tear, the cards still cannot be used indefinitely. We tell you what and why a card can go bad and what to do when it happens.
Why do bank cards have a magnetic stripe?
On the back of any bank card you can find a thick black or gray line without any additional symbols on it. This is a magnetic strip on which the payment details of the card and the details of its owner are recorded.
Before the advent of chips and contactless modules, this method of client identification was used for transactions. When paying, the card was “rolled” in the payment terminal to read the details. This technology did not protect card data well, and it became easy prey for criminals. The attackers installed skimming devices on ATMs and payment terminals to read information from the magnetic stripe. Having this data, the scammers made a duplicate card and used it to steal funds from the account.
To increase the security of payments, the Central Bank of the Russian Federation has obliged all banks since 2015 to issue cards not only with a magnetic stripe, but also with a chip, from which it is much more difficult to copy data.
Now the relevance of the magnetic stripe has faded into the background. Most terminals at cash registers and ATMs read data from chips and contactless modules. At the same time, banks continue to issue cards with a magnetic stripe, citing the fact that not all retail outlets are equipped with modern terminals. Russian financial organizations followed the standards of international payment systems, and they, in turn, are in no hurry to get rid of the magnetic stripe on their own plastic. For example, Mastercard stated that it would completely abandon the magnetic stripe only by 2033.
Some banks practice using the card as a pass to an ATM during non-working hours of the branch. The card holder must insert the magnetic stripe into a special slot in the electronic lock to open the door.
How can a card become demagnetized?
Unlike the chip and NFC antenna, which are difficult to damage without breaking the plastic itself, the magnetic stripe is more vulnerable and wears out much faster. It may fail due to:
Can a card be demagnetized from a phone?
In 2022, contactless payment using Google Pay and Apple Pay services became unavailable for Russians. Many users who have appreciated the convenience of paying with gadgets have begun to put their bank cards under their phone cases. This way they don’t forget their cards at home and imitate the usual contactless payment. The chips in the cards are resistant to electromagnetic radiation, so they are not afraid of being in close proximity to a smartphone. But demagnetization of the magnetic tape is quite likely, but this will not happen immediately, but with a very long exposure. Metal objects, such as coins or a set of keys, can demagnetize the card much faster.
If you are used to paying for purchases using a smartphone, we recommend getting a payment sticker , which is glued to the gadget and brought to the payment terminal.
How to understand that the card has been demagnetized
It is impossible to determine with the naked eye whether the card has become demagnetized. A visual inspection can only detect mechanical damage to the magnetic strip or the plastic itself. The cardholder will not know about demagnetization until he encounters an old-style terminal that uses a magnetic stripe for payment. Otherwise, it fully retains its functionality (cashless payment for purchases at modern terminals, you can withdraw cash from ATMs, pay for purchases on the Internet).
If the card is not read by any device, then the failure is more serious - the microchip has been damaged. But before making such a conclusion, rule out the following possible reasons for the card’s failure:
How to restore a demagnetized card
There is no way to repair or magnetize the card; it will have to be replaced. You need to contact the bank with an application for early reissue of the card. It is not necessary to come to the office in person; the application can be completed remotely online or with the help of a support representative. You may not even have to go for a ready-made card: some banks deliver them by courier for free . Re-issuance of a personalized card may take several business days, but a non-named card is issued immediately upon application to the branch.
Please note: a number of banks charge a fee for early card reissue. You can clarify this information in your personal account, in the “Tariffs” section, or from a bank employee.
When reissued, the details of the card itself change, while the current card account remains the same; there is no need to transfer money from it. For regular deposits to the card and automatic payments, adjustments will also not be required, since they are carried out using the account details, not the card. But in contactless payment services, you will have to delete the old card and enter the details of the new one. You can use the reissued card even before you receive it. After activating the card in your personal account, you will be able to withdraw cash from ATMs using a QR code, pay for purchases by phone, and make online payments.
How and where to store a bank card correctly
In order for the card to serve for a long time, you should follow the rules for storing it:
What to do if the card stops working: a quick guide
(c) https://www.banki.ru/news/daytheme/?id=10986991
Why do bank cards have a magnetic stripe?
On the back of any bank card you can find a thick black or gray line without any additional symbols on it. This is a magnetic strip on which the payment details of the card and the details of its owner are recorded.
Before the advent of chips and contactless modules, this method of client identification was used for transactions. When paying, the card was “rolled” in the payment terminal to read the details. This technology did not protect card data well, and it became easy prey for criminals. The attackers installed skimming devices on ATMs and payment terminals to read information from the magnetic stripe. Having this data, the scammers made a duplicate card and used it to steal funds from the account.
To increase the security of payments, the Central Bank of the Russian Federation has obliged all banks since 2015 to issue cards not only with a magnetic stripe, but also with a chip, from which it is much more difficult to copy data.
Now the relevance of the magnetic stripe has faded into the background. Most terminals at cash registers and ATMs read data from chips and contactless modules. At the same time, banks continue to issue cards with a magnetic stripe, citing the fact that not all retail outlets are equipped with modern terminals. Russian financial organizations followed the standards of international payment systems, and they, in turn, are in no hurry to get rid of the magnetic stripe on their own plastic. For example, Mastercard stated that it would completely abandon the magnetic stripe only by 2033.
Some banks practice using the card as a pass to an ATM during non-working hours of the branch. The card holder must insert the magnetic stripe into a special slot in the electronic lock to open the door.
How can a card become demagnetized?
Unlike the chip and NFC antenna, which are difficult to damage without breaking the plastic itself, the magnetic stripe is more vulnerable and wears out much faster. It may fail due to:
- Mechanical damage. If you store the card near sharp metal objects, such as keys, the magnetic stripe is likely to be scratched.
- Overheating. Do not keep the card in direct sunlight or near heating devices.
- Exposure to electromagnetic radiation. Prolonged close contact with other magnetized objects and large electrical appliances may cause the card to become demagnetized.
- Physical wear and tear. If you read the card frequently or use it for a long time, the magnetic stripe on it will wear off.
- Human factor. Careless handling of the card will shorten its service life. For example, plastic accidentally forgotten in a clothing pocket “dies” in the washing machine.
Can a card be demagnetized from a phone?
In 2022, contactless payment using Google Pay and Apple Pay services became unavailable for Russians. Many users who have appreciated the convenience of paying with gadgets have begun to put their bank cards under their phone cases. This way they don’t forget their cards at home and imitate the usual contactless payment. The chips in the cards are resistant to electromagnetic radiation, so they are not afraid of being in close proximity to a smartphone. But demagnetization of the magnetic tape is quite likely, but this will not happen immediately, but with a very long exposure. Metal objects, such as coins or a set of keys, can demagnetize the card much faster.
If you are used to paying for purchases using a smartphone, we recommend getting a payment sticker , which is glued to the gadget and brought to the payment terminal.
How to understand that the card has been demagnetized
It is impossible to determine with the naked eye whether the card has become demagnetized. A visual inspection can only detect mechanical damage to the magnetic strip or the plastic itself. The cardholder will not know about demagnetization until he encounters an old-style terminal that uses a magnetic stripe for payment. Otherwise, it fully retains its functionality (cashless payment for purchases at modern terminals, you can withdraw cash from ATMs, pay for purchases on the Internet).
If the card is not read by any device, then the failure is more serious - the microchip has been damaged. But before making such a conclusion, rule out the following possible reasons for the card’s failure:
- failure on the part of the bank;
- expiration of the card;
- card blocking;
- Obstructions that make it difficult to read the card (for example, a cover or adhered dirt).
How to restore a demagnetized card
There is no way to repair or magnetize the card; it will have to be replaced. You need to contact the bank with an application for early reissue of the card. It is not necessary to come to the office in person; the application can be completed remotely online or with the help of a support representative. You may not even have to go for a ready-made card: some banks deliver them by courier for free . Re-issuance of a personalized card may take several business days, but a non-named card is issued immediately upon application to the branch.
Please note: a number of banks charge a fee for early card reissue. You can clarify this information in your personal account, in the “Tariffs” section, or from a bank employee.
When reissued, the details of the card itself change, while the current card account remains the same; there is no need to transfer money from it. For regular deposits to the card and automatic payments, adjustments will also not be required, since they are carried out using the account details, not the card. But in contactless payment services, you will have to delete the old card and enter the details of the new one. You can use the reissued card even before you receive it. After activating the card in your personal account, you will be able to withdraw cash from ATMs using a QR code, pay for purchases by phone, and make online payments.
How and where to store a bank card correctly
In order for the card to serve for a long time, you should follow the rules for storing it:
- Do not expose the card to high temperatures, water, or electromagnetic radiation. The plastic must not be bent, otherwise the card may become completely unusable.
- Do not keep the card near hard metal objects that could scratch or demagnetize it.
- Store the card in a cardholder (protective case) or in a special section of your wallet (but remember that prolonged direct contact with change or a magnetic clasp can demagnetize it).
- Don't leave your card anywhere. This will protect not only the plastic itself from damage, but also your personal data from intruders.
- Use contactless payment. The plastic wears out from friction in the terminal. Nowadays, most payment-accepting devices and ATMs are equipped with contactless modules; you just need to swipe your card. Add your card to SBPay, MirPay , Sberpay and pay for purchases using your phone.
- Create a payment sticker. You don't need to carry a bank card with you.
- Apply for an additional card to your account, if such a possibility is provided for in the tariffs. Something may happen to the main card, but you will always have a spare one at hand.
What to do if the card stops working: a quick guide
- Examine the map carefully. Mechanical damage to the plastic is most likely the cause of the failure.
- If the card is intact, you need to exclude other factors: expiration, blocking, problems with the bank, mechanical interference.
- If the card cannot be read on old equipment, most likely it has become demagnetized.
- Even a demagnetized card practically does not lose its functionality. The card can still be used wherever terminals are equipped with modern modules (and the majority of such devices are now), and it remains valid for paying for purchases by phone or on the Internet.
- You can order a card reissue remotely, and receive it at the nearest convenient branch or by courier.
- It takes several working days to produce the card, but you don’t have to wait and get a non-personalized card at the branch on the day you apply.
- Even before receiving plastic on the card, some types of operations will be available. To do this, the card must be activated in your personal account.
(c) https://www.banki.ru/news/daytheme/?id=10986991
