Disabling RFID

Assume for whatever reason that you wish to disable or kill the RFID chip inside a high denomination casino chip without leaving any evidence of having done so.

Note: this question IS PURELY HYPOTHETICAL.

My googling the issue leads me to think that microwaving it for about five or so seconds should work, but I wonder if that would affect the integrity of the chip, or leave any evidence of the tampering?

Perhaps more promising is "herfing" via a home-made EMP device: see ... herfing

note: my curiosity was piqued when idly wondering how that idiot who robbed Bellagio might have done things differently, and possibly redeemed chips over time. Again, idle curiosity, nothing more. I don't need brutes in black suits knocking on my door.

What makes you think that a casino that uses RFID would accept a chip that didn't appear to have one?

How would they know it wasn't a random failure?

Random failure may work for one or two chips.

But if you go to cash in and all your chips are failures, even if you're cashing in only one or two at a time, sooner or later (sooner) they're gonna remember your face....

The question I am pondering is not so much whether the chips could be redeemed, but rather whether a non-destructive way to disable the RFID chip inside the casino chip exists.

But yeah, in the real world, why bother if they can't be redeemed?

Of course, some gamblers may just want to do it on general principle, to protect their "privacy."

Quote: MrV

... microwaving it for about five or so seconds should work, but I wonder if that would affect the integrity of the chip, or leave any evidence of the tampering?

Depending on the microwave's wattage, it could take more than 5 seconds. The damage to the RFID tag should not leave any external marks on the chip, but to verify it is a $25,000 question.

I wonder if a small, powerful electromagnet, (like those found in videotape erasers) could accomplish the same goal? Anybody got a spare "Cranberry"?

Quote: MrV

Perhaps more promising is "herfing" via a home-made EMP device: see ... herfing

A device you would use in the casino is too risky. A home made EMP could zap the pacemakered geezer sittng next to you, and the kid with the headphones on listening to his Ipod will know you're up to something right away, when it bursts into flames.