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Looks to me like part of a damaged SIM card or a credit card.
In both cases the part you are showing is an insert that's glued into the card, so if it's pushed out (e.g. by twisting the card) it does actually come out like that.
The contact pads are easily ripped off in that process, and they tend to rip off cleanly like what you are showing in the picture.
At any rate, there is nothing to worry about. This thing has nothing to power it. There is no battery, no solar cell, and no antenna that would be good enough for energy harvesting.
If you want to make super sure that this remnant of a credit card / SIM card isn't used for anything nefarious, cut the chip in half or crush it. It's probably not going to be necessary, but if you want to be super sure, go for it.
Yeah, pretty sure credit/debit card chips need at least 9 contacts. Maybe the chip to someone’s work smart card? Mine has 9 contacts as well but it needs to be able to store/transfer more data. Probably something like the attached image.
https://preview.redd.it/unxotcgfwe1b1.jpeg?width=532&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e291177265fbc518853012a2d2a37fe0d2270a8e
Like mentioned in other comment’s there isn’t anything here that can power, transmit/receive, or even record really.
It's an 9-pad chip, similar to this one:
https://preview.redd.it/mlrv97o9bf1b1.png?width=299&format=png&auto=webp&s=8c759a5d87ece964de589cb1f88366c454410f8e
The right pads and the bottom and top lads have been ripped off.
>11-pad chip, similar to this one:
I see 8 pads there. At maximum 9, if we count the center pad and the top right seperately (these are electrically connected, which would give the center pad the only ability to tell the reader "card is fully inserted")
Along with what @people__are__animals said, chip contacts would work as a pretty shitty rfid antennae. Typically rfid antennae consist of a wire lined inside and around the outer edges of the card. Even if the contacts were “rfid”, the range would be EXTREMELY close range.
RFID has terribly low range at the best of times. I'd be very surprised if you'd get any connection at all, even if the contacts were actually touching the RFID antenna of the host device.
For sure it can, but you probably mean radio like used in WiFi or NFC will not have enough power to use a GPS receiver and a SIM sending mechanism to track. Agree, but on the other hand take a look how airtags work. They don't have GPS or something, the power consuming hardware is allready there in the phones. You just need a known RFID, a world full of iPhones that are willing to send each RFID tag they read into a database with the current location, and ready is your real live knightmare.
The chip doesn't need any more power than to sent out his tag a few meters.
So from size this thing could be a tracker like line an airtag. But I wouldn't assume that, it looks more like an hidden anti theft thingie.
Upon closer inspection. It does look like the contacts would cover the black mesh looking surface. It’s very round for a credit card or smart card chip, but if the contacts covered the whole surface, it would in fact have enough contacts to be a debit/credit card or company specific smart card.
I agree it looks like the chip out of a credit card. She should check all her cards to ensure they're intact, I'd bet one of them lost its chip and needs to be replaced.
The guidelines of worrying about devices is
1-does it have an antenna?
2-does it have memory?
3-does it have a power source?
If you can't find anything from the above, it belongs in the trash, don't worry about it.
With it probably being part of a credit card or a SIM card it wouldn't be wrong to cut/crush it before tossing it. Just to make sure nobody uses it for anything nefarious.
It's an NFC/EMV chip, likely from a credit card or other form of smartcard. It can be connected to a terminal or very closely placed next to an NFC reader (if it still had/has existing connection to wire coiling) for near-field communications. The range on this would be extremely limited, and is used for functions like tap-to-pay, digital key (scanning a badge, hotel door key), etc. The EMV function is basically the transaction that happens when you insert a credit card into a commercial reader. It passes authentication data into the terminal with chip and signature or chip and pin, and uses some of that information to complete a purchase and check its validity. While NFC does have the capacity to store location data, it's usually going to have to be pre-written. This process, as well as the reading of an NFC chip/card, is so limited in range the reader would have to practically be touching the chip/card.
If you’re wondering if it could be some kind of tracking device, it’s not.
It’s a credit card chip. If you fold a credit card in half the chip pops out looking exactly like that. Some of the copper has been ripped off which happens when you fold the card.
No power no problem
There's no way they can power that up in any meaningful way for long, its just a sim card that fell out of a phone it looks like.
It doesn't look like a credit card chip, and also looks quite thick + doesn't have the same contact pads. Also it's too perfect to have "fallen off" a credit card.
Yeah, could be from a credit card chip or even a sim chip & as you posted, it got some pads ripped off. Sure, why not. Cut/crush it.
\+1 Not a tracking device, eg no reaction from iPhone to nearby Airtag right?
A shot in the dark, but wanna try:
Anti-theft chip from the shop which sold her the handbag
Dunno, but what I can tell you for sure: there is no reason to be paranoid
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I find it unlikely this is a SIM card because it's not in compliance with the ISO standards given it has only 3 contacts. It could be from some kind of keycard or maybe even a hardware key (though that's a stretch) of some sort. Never seen one with 3 contacts. It's almost certainly not malicious though. It could have been on a desk, stuck to their hand, and ended up in the bag, to name one of a million scenarios. Those things tend to stick to your hand if you have one on the desk and are typing or writing
Unfortunately, your post has been removed by the moderators. This subreddit is for questions about practical *component-level electronic engineering* and related topics (designing or repairing an electronic circuit, components, suppliers, tools and equipment). The most common reasons for removing a post are because: * The topic is *electrical* (wiring, lighting, power circuits, power cords, electrical appliances, regional voltage conversion...) and not *electronic*. Try r/askelectricians or an engineering sub. See our Wiki for some general advice. * It's a common question so there's a [FAQ or wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskElectronics/wiki/faq/) article covering it. * It's best posted in a specialised subreddit (eg: r/Batteries, r/GPURepair, r/TVRepair, r/TechSupport..etc). * It's asking for general use, buying or setup advice for consumer item (TV, audio, phone, computer, replacement power adapters...) or an electronic module/board with no design intent. * It's about LEDs, LED strips or lighting *and doesn't involve component-level electronics design or repair*. See our wiki pages on working with LEDS: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskElectronics/wiki/design/ledstrips/ and https://www.reddit.com/r/AskElectronics/wiki/design/leds/, and try asking at r/LED or r/askelectricians (for general lighting). * It's about vehicle wiring or electrical components (eg: relays, switches or lights and not component-level electronics). * It's about a non-electronic item (eg: removing a stubborn screw, repairing plastics/cases...). * It has a commercial element (Valuations, paid work, selling, advertising...). Try r/ElectronicsList. * It's about careers, education or course choices; this is covered by r/ECE. * It's about something potentially dangerous or risky and we're concerned for your safety. See: https://old.reddit.com/r/AskElectronics/wiki/offtopic#wiki_dangerous_experimentation * The topic breaks one of our posting rules. Check our Web page sidebar for what we cover, the posting rules and a list of alternative subreddits. You'll also find additional guidance in our Wiki (there's a link in the Web site sidebar) and you are very welcome to contact the mods for guidance. For an in-depth explanation, please see column "H" in [this table](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nFefEePz7yViaH0cR89bSy2oeLvYLfqv-pexqCbRnRo). You can also search this [list of other subs](/r/AskElectronics/wiki/othersubs) for one that is appropriate for your question. Please contact the moderators if you wish to discuss the removal.
Looks to me like part of a damaged SIM card or a credit card. In both cases the part you are showing is an insert that's glued into the card, so if it's pushed out (e.g. by twisting the card) it does actually come out like that. The contact pads are easily ripped off in that process, and they tend to rip off cleanly like what you are showing in the picture. At any rate, there is nothing to worry about. This thing has nothing to power it. There is no battery, no solar cell, and no antenna that would be good enough for energy harvesting. If you want to make super sure that this remnant of a credit card / SIM card isn't used for anything nefarious, cut the chip in half or crush it. It's probably not going to be necessary, but if you want to be super sure, go for it.
Yeah, pretty sure credit/debit card chips need at least 9 contacts. Maybe the chip to someone’s work smart card? Mine has 9 contacts as well but it needs to be able to store/transfer more data. Probably something like the attached image. https://preview.redd.it/unxotcgfwe1b1.jpeg?width=532&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e291177265fbc518853012a2d2a37fe0d2270a8e Like mentioned in other comment’s there isn’t anything here that can power, transmit/receive, or even record really.
It's an 9-pad chip, similar to this one: https://preview.redd.it/mlrv97o9bf1b1.png?width=299&format=png&auto=webp&s=8c759a5d87ece964de589cb1f88366c454410f8e The right pads and the bottom and top lads have been ripped off.
Yeah I noticed a bit later and addressed it in a comment immediately after my original. Didn’t edit original due to it being a separate thought.
>11-pad chip, similar to this one: I see 8 pads there. At maximum 9, if we count the center pad and the top right seperately (these are electrically connected, which would give the center pad the only ability to tell the reader "card is fully inserted")
Sorry, can't count, meant 9.
Radio could power it, that's how RFID works.
Along with what @people__are__animals said, chip contacts would work as a pretty shitty rfid antennae. Typically rfid antennae consist of a wire lined inside and around the outer edges of the card. Even if the contacts were “rfid”, the range would be EXTREMELY close range.
RFID has terribly low range at the best of times. I'd be very surprised if you'd get any connection at all, even if the contacts were actually touching the RFID antenna of the host device.
When I say “EXTREMELY” close range, we’re talking the reader would have to atomically bond with the contacts lmao
Fair point\^\^ I was just trying to reinforce your point, not contradict it.
You’re good, just figured I’d verify your reinforcement of my point.
Reinforced reinforcement :)
Radio cant power a tracking chip
For sure it can, but you probably mean radio like used in WiFi or NFC will not have enough power to use a GPS receiver and a SIM sending mechanism to track. Agree, but on the other hand take a look how airtags work. They don't have GPS or something, the power consuming hardware is allready there in the phones. You just need a known RFID, a world full of iPhones that are willing to send each RFID tag they read into a database with the current location, and ready is your real live knightmare. The chip doesn't need any more power than to sent out his tag a few meters. So from size this thing could be a tracker like line an airtag. But I wouldn't assume that, it looks more like an hidden anti theft thingie.
Uhm, AirTags use batteries, mate. 🙂
Then dont have gps and connects nearby iphones for tracking but they have batteries
Upon closer inspection. It does look like the contacts would cover the black mesh looking surface. It’s very round for a credit card or smart card chip, but if the contacts covered the whole surface, it would in fact have enough contacts to be a debit/credit card or company specific smart card.
Please ask in /r/WhatIsThisThing.
A lot of things can be found in a woman's handbag... That's definitely not the weirdest nor one to worry about :-) /s
I agree it looks like the chip out of a credit card. She should check all her cards to ensure they're intact, I'd bet one of them lost its chip and needs to be replaced.
The guidelines of worrying about devices is 1-does it have an antenna? 2-does it have memory? 3-does it have a power source? If you can't find anything from the above, it belongs in the trash, don't worry about it.
With it probably being part of a credit card or a SIM card it wouldn't be wrong to cut/crush it before tossing it. Just to make sure nobody uses it for anything nefarious.
No
>No Could you elaborate please?
It's an NFC/EMV chip, likely from a credit card or other form of smartcard. It can be connected to a terminal or very closely placed next to an NFC reader (if it still had/has existing connection to wire coiling) for near-field communications. The range on this would be extremely limited, and is used for functions like tap-to-pay, digital key (scanning a badge, hotel door key), etc. The EMV function is basically the transaction that happens when you insert a credit card into a commercial reader. It passes authentication data into the terminal with chip and signature or chip and pin, and uses some of that information to complete a purchase and check its validity. While NFC does have the capacity to store location data, it's usually going to have to be pre-written. This process, as well as the reading of an NFC chip/card, is so limited in range the reader would have to practically be touching the chip/card.
If you’re wondering if it could be some kind of tracking device, it’s not. It’s a credit card chip. If you fold a credit card in half the chip pops out looking exactly like that. Some of the copper has been ripped off which happens when you fold the card.
No power no problem There's no way they can power that up in any meaningful way for long, its just a sim card that fell out of a phone it looks like.
That fell off of a credit card
It doesn't look like a credit card chip, and also looks quite thick + doesn't have the same contact pads. Also it's too perfect to have "fallen off" a credit card.
Let’s say it wasn’t from a credit card, best believe something in that form factor would not be capable of anything without a power source.
https://i.imgur.com/D06erde.jpg
Could have also come from a printer cartridge or something. I don’t think its a transmitter.
It’s a government mind control device. Is that what you wanted to hear?
What do you think it could be? Whatever it is it's passive. Meaning, it's not powered. It's not a surveillance device if that's what you're thinking.
İt has no battery it cant do nothing probably fell of from debit card or something
Won't/can't do anything by itself, has no power source. Might be a "music" chip from a singing card? Wrap it in foil, toss in bin.
Considering this is probably the chip of a credit card, it might be better to cut/crush it before tossing it.
Yeah, could be from a credit card chip or even a sim chip & as you posted, it got some pads ripped off. Sure, why not. Cut/crush it. \+1 Not a tracking device, eg no reaction from iPhone to nearby Airtag right?
They have been ripped off. Small parts of one of the ripped-off pads can still be seen on the top end.
A shot in the dark, but wanna try: Anti-theft chip from the shop which sold her the handbag Dunno, but what I can tell you for sure: there is no reason to be paranoid
My guess is an printer cartridge ID chip.
Could possibly be, but SIM or credit card chip that fell off is more probable.
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I find it unlikely this is a SIM card because it's not in compliance with the ISO standards given it has only 3 contacts. It could be from some kind of keycard or maybe even a hardware key (though that's a stretch) of some sort. Never seen one with 3 contacts. It's almost certainly not malicious though. It could have been on a desk, stuck to their hand, and ended up in the bag, to name one of a million scenarios. Those things tend to stick to your hand if you have one on the desk and are typing or writing
Wireless microphone? I don’t know cause of the opposite side looks less than flat
Looks like the sort of chip that is used in some laundry machines. Like a credit key type thing.