We have all heard the rumors that a magnet can deactivate the strip on your credit card, making it unusable. So the folks at creditcards.com put this rumor to the test. They took three different credit cards with three different magnets and exposed them to each other. They used a refrigerator magnet, a mid-strength magnet, and a high powered junkyard magnet. They swiped the magnets across each then tested them in a credit card machine. Of the three tests only one card was deactivated... to most peoples surprise only the card exposed to the mid-weight magnet didn't work. Why did it only happen to one? Well it turns out that it is not the power of the magnet your card comes in contact with, but the length of exposure. As it turns out they redid the test and all three cards were deactivated when the length of time exposed was extended.
Just something to think about the next time your hanging out with your credit card at a junkyard or thinking of purchasing a magnetic money clip.
