Magic Bands Safe from Thieves?

[Gena001]

Hello all - As I was watching one of those 24 hr shopping channels & they were showing an RFID blocking wristlet, it proviked in my mind "Are Magic Bands safe from RFID? I mean, you can pay w/ them, right? And they are tied back to a payment form..." I would think Disney's $1B investment would include a safety feature from thieves, but thought I'd inquire. The DIS people are so smart & have all the answers!

Thanks!

 

[Alesia]

Nothing is stored on the bands. Not your tickets, not your credit card, not any kind of personal information.

There is a long range RFID transmitter in the band that links to your MDE account, but a thief would have no way to access that.

 

[DiscoYeti]

^ correct
From what I understand your band doesn't have any of your information on it, the only thing it has is a serial number which Disney can link to your MDE account. Even if someone managed to read your band, the serial number would mean nothing to them, so it's perfectly safe.

Also, the info that is linked to the number is nothing more than what was already linked on the old Key To The World cards. If you felt safe with them you should feel safe with Magic Bands.

 

[hpriamson]

But someone could steal your band while you're in a park, and use it to buy a bunch of souvenirs and food against the credit card tied back to your room, correct? I wonder who gets left holding the bag in that case - Disney, the credit card co, or the victim?

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

You have to put your PIN in every time you buy something or even charge at the restaurants. You don't just swipe and go. You need that PIN number.

 

[wdwrich]

But someone could steal your band while you're in a park, and use it to buy a bunch of souvenirs and food against the credit card tied back to your room, correct? I wonder who gets left holding the bag in that case - Disney, the credit card co, or the victim?

No - a PIN is set up for your band(s), so having the band without knowing the PIN would not allow anyone to make purchases.

 

[LilyWDW]

You have to put your PIN in every time you buy something or even charge at the restaurants. You don't just swipe and go. You need that PIN number.

Correct. I had forgotten my PIN number between my online check in and actually getting to the resort so I had to reset everything. I was required to provide a photo ID before they would do it.

There is no actually information on the band. Just a number that links with Disney's internal system. It is there that your CC number, room information, ticket information, and the like are.

 

[hpriamson]

Ah, didn't know about the PIN. Thanks!

 

[amcnj]

When is the pin assigned/selected? Each member of a party would have to select their own I assume?

Thanks!

 

[erionm]

When is the pin assigned/selected? Each member of a party would have to select their own I assume?

Thanks!

Either during on-line check-in or at the front desk of your resort. Each person can have their own unique PIN.

 

[Dawnlight]

When is the pin assigned/selected? Each member of a party would have to select their own I assume?

Thanks!

Not necessarily. We were a party of 9 and all used the same PIN.

 

[Andysol]

But someone could steal your band while you're in a park, and use it to buy a bunch of souvenirs and food against the credit card tied back to your room, correct

As others have said- no, it requires a pin. But they could take a bunch of pictures and attach them to your memory maker!

 

[nalajms]

The Pin is required at most places, but we have had occasions when it's not required. Definitely with DDP.

DH lost his MB last fall, mid day at MK. After looking around the stroller and in everyone's pockets, I logged onto MDE on my phone and deactivated that MB. Because of this, we always bring 1 extra set of MB on each trip.

 

[supersnoop]

The Pin is required at most places, but we have had occasions when it's not required. Definitely with DDP.

DH lost his MB last fall, mid day at MK. After looking around the stroller and in everyone's pockets, I logged onto MDE on my phone and deactivated that MB. Because of this, we always bring 1 extra set of MB on each trip.

You wouldn't believe the huge pile of magic bands at Lost and Found. They seem to collect a laundry basket full every day.

 

[W.E.D.]

You wouldn't believe the huge pile of magic bands at Lost and Found. They seem to collect a laundry basket full every day.

Wow. Haven't used them yet. Do they really come off that easily?

 

[capegirl]

Wow. Haven't used them yet. Do they really come off that easily?

I was wondering the same thing. Has anyone every lost a MB at a water park?

 

[Alesia]

Wow. Haven't used them yet. Do they really come off that easily?

We never had a problem.

 

[nilla]

I was wondering the same thing. Has anyone every lost a MB at a water park?

Our son lost his TWICE in the pool at CBR last year, but we were not at all surprised that he was the only one in the family to have this happen

I think they're reasonable secure.

 

[chartle]

Wow. Haven't used them yet. Do they really come off that easily?

You have to realize that lets say 200 MBs are turned in that day, how many people visit say the MK in one day 50,000, 60,000. Thats a loss rate of .4 to .33%. They probably have more kids turned in than MBs.

They also probably get a couple of hundred phones and I don't know a 1,000 pairs of sunglasses.

I work for a taxi company and we get more phones in lost and found than you can imagine.

 

[DiscoYeti]

I'm pretty clumsy and am always loosing bracelets but my MB always felt secure, wether running around the parks or in the water in the water parks.
I did however see the slides have to be shut a couple of times at BB while lifeguards went in to the water to retrieve lost MBs at the exit of slides. So you do need to be careful