Neodymium Magnets and RFID Tags

[nostrumfiend]

So, is this just a rumor or is there any truth behind it?

I have heard that rare earth magnets such as neodymium which are rated at least n40 will do enough damage when rubbed over an rfid tag multiple times to disable it completely.

This could be the shoplifter's dream.

Also, if you have read the book Evasion ( a must-read) the character uses "The Demagnetizer" bought from Ace Hardware to do this.

[Orinux]

So, is this just a rumor or is there any truth behind it?

I have heard that rare earth magnets such as neodymium which are rated at least n40 will do enough damage when rubbed over an rfid tag multiple times to disable it completely.

This could be the shoplifter's dream.

Also, if you have read the book Evasion ( a must-read) the character uses "The Demagnetizer" bought from Ace Hardware to do this.

the demagnetize might work but not a neodymium magnet. That will do nothing to the RFID tag. there as a thread about this before check it out!

[RoundElephant]

I don't think that would work.

RFID tags use radio frequencies.

[nostrumfiend]

Radio waves are electromagnetic waves occurring on the radio frequency portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.
From Wikipedia

Radio waves are made up of part magnetic and part electric making electromagnetic waves. So, if the magnetic portion was jumbled, then the electric portion wouldn't contact the security checkpoint towers. That's how I understand it at least.

Anyone know if this is correct?