Magnetic strip being removed from cards

JamesPeter

When I was out in the wilds of New Mexico USA in early 2020 (just prior to covid), I came across a market stall still using a manual ‘zip-zap’ embossed card machine as there was no electricity or mobile phone signal to use electronic transactions.

I had to find a card that was still embossed to make the payment!

I thought these zip-zap’ machines went out when Noah was building his rowing boat!

It took about a month for the transaction to appear on my credit card statement.

wmb194

JamesPeter said:

When I was out in the wilds of New Mexico USA in early 2020 (just prior to covid), I came across a market stall still using a manual ‘zip-zap’ embossed card machine as there was no electricity or mobile phone signal to use electronic transactions.

I had to find a card that was still embossed to make the payment!

I thought these zip-zap’ machines went out when Noah was building his rowing boat!

It took about a month for the transaction to appear on my credit card statement.

This is a good example of one of the wide range of issues the US faces. Btw, you don't have to use an embossed card, you can fill in all the details using a ballpoint if needs be.

Fingerbobs

JamesPeter said:

When I was out in the wilds of New Mexico USA in early 2020 (just prior to covid), I came across a market stall still using a manual ‘zip-zap’ embossed card machine as there was no electricity or mobile phone signal to use electronic transactions.

I had to find a card that was still embossed to make the payment!

I thought these zip-zap’ machines went out when Noah was building his rowing boat!

It took about a month for the transaction to appear on my credit card statement.

I had my card "zip-zapped" a couple of weeks ago at an English Heritage site that had only just opened to the public, and didn't have any comms installed yet.