Psychedelic credit cards
Mar 22, 2006 | 12:50 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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Psychedelic credit cards
I was having dinner at a Peruvian seafood/karaoke place in Virginia (I kid you not). I took out my Amex SPG to pay the check. I thought I had the wrong card or something: plastered over the front was AMEX in big bold letters. It was invisible ink, made visible by the UV lights they had on the ceiling.
My Visa had the bird logo, twice as big as the hologram one. My MasterCard had an 'M' and some unrecognizable symbol.
Anyone noticed this before?
My Visa had the bird logo, twice as big as the hologram one. My MasterCard had an 'M' and some unrecognizable symbol.
Anyone noticed this before?
Mar 22, 2006 | 1:46 pm
#2
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My Citi.You card has the MasterCard logo on the back... The front has a big reflective thing in a circle ont he front.
-Vincent
-Vincent
Mar 22, 2006 | 2:37 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: ATL
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I saw a news article on television regarding security features on credit cards years ago when I was in college. Scary to think that was more than 10 yrs ago... 
I had a Visa and American Express at the time. I took the cards into the molecular biology lab and looked at the cards under UV light. I saw this on my cards.
Also, on a Visa, the dark blue line around the Visa logo is actually your credit card number in micro type.
I had a Visa and American Express at the time. I took the cards into the molecular biology lab and looked at the cards under UV light. I saw this on my cards.Also, on a Visa, the dark blue line around the Visa logo is actually your credit card number in micro type.
Mar 22, 2006 | 2:53 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2003
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The first time I caught the big "AMEX" on the front of my Amex was when I was sitting at an outdoor table at a restaurant--plenty of UV coming from the sun, so no need to find a biology lab 
. I realized I'd never had the card out my my wallet in the out-of-doors prior to that occasion.
. I realized I'd never had the card out my my wallet in the out-of-doors prior to that occasion.
Mar 22, 2006 | 3:12 pm
#5
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My UK Drivers License looks good under UV. There is the royal coat of arms in colour that you don't see under normal light!
Mar 22, 2006 | 5:49 pm
#6
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I don't understand the point. Merchants don't wave the credit card under a UV lamp, and for phone or on-line purchases, the physical card need not even exist.
Isn't the problem with credit card theft or forgery the credit card number itself (along with expiration date, security code, etc.)?
Isn't the problem with credit card theft or forgery the credit card number itself (along with expiration date, security code, etc.)?
Mar 22, 2006 | 6:17 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2005
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With a Visa you get the Visa Eagle across the front
Mastercard gets an M C
American Express gets an AMEX
I don't recall what a Discover/Diners Club gets.
Various passports and drivers licenses also show something in UV light. The new Florida licenses show an extra photo of the person and their last name.
Mastercard gets an M C
American Express gets an AMEX
I don't recall what a Discover/Diners Club gets.
Various passports and drivers licenses also show something in UV light. The new Florida licenses show an extra photo of the person and their last name.
Mar 22, 2006 | 6:22 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2005
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Originally Posted by JS
I don't understand the point. Merchants don't wave the credit card under a UV lamp, and for phone or on-line purchases, the physical card need not even exist.
Isn't the problem with credit card theft or forgery the credit card number itself (along with expiration date, security code, etc.)?
Isn't the problem with credit card theft or forgery the credit card number itself (along with expiration date, security code, etc.)?
Mar 22, 2006 | 6:28 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2005
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Originally Posted by JS
I don't understand the point. Merchants don't wave the credit card under a UV lamp
Mar 22, 2006 | 7:07 pm
#10
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I've only seen one missing the markings. It was a "Citi" Visa... except the card looked like it had been printed at home and the numbers/letters didn't line up very well. We still ran it, and it when it declined, our phone rang. It was Citibank, telling us to stall the guy while police arrived.