[palmer]

He pointed a device at them and told them their names and (if I recall) addresses

That's BS. A chip card is dead without power and power can only be applied at the chip contacts. Power cannot be directed at the contacts without frying the subjected person.

Perhaps the people had some sort of NFC or RFID item. But credit cards do not use NFC or RFID.

[TexasGunLover]

That's BS. A chip card is dead without power and power can only be applied at the chip contacts. Power cannot be directed at the contacts without frying the subjected person.

Chip cards still have magnetic strips. Track data isn't encrypted and never has been.