Can Metal Detectors Sense and Count How Much Cash You Carry?
- Posted on March 26, 2012 at 6:30pm by
Liz Klimas
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Could this wad of cash set off a metal detector? (Photo: KristieWells/Flickr)
Usually, if you’re carrying a big wad of dough you want to be as discrete about it as possible, but what if a metal detector could give you away. Researchers from the University of Washington have conducted independent tests and plan to share their results showing metal detectors could sense how much you have on you.
New Scientist reports that magnetic money has long been an “urban legend” to allow ”shadowy government agencies [to] use metal detectors to track how much cash you are carrying.” At least part of the legend is true as machines that take paper money, such as vending machines, verify the amount you inserted based on magnetic inks. Physicists Christopher Fuller and Antao Chen suggest there are other uses for these magnetic properties though, such as catching smugglers.
New Scientist has more on their research:
They found an ordinary handheld metal detector was able to pick up a dollar bill from 3 centimetres away, and placing the notes behind plastic, cardboard and cloth did little to block the signal. Adding further bills in $5 increments increased the strength of the signal, making it is possible to count the number of bills, though converting this into an actual dollar value would be difficult as notes of different denominations contain the same amount of magnetic ink.
Using larger metal detectors such as those found in airports should also increase the range of sensing, though detecting banknotes in such situations would be trickier as many other sources could interfere with the signal. “In a real situation the signal will be noisy and some kind of digital signal processing may be needed,” says Chen. “The results published are from a feasibility study, and a lot of development work is needed to make it practical.”
Here is a YouTube video demonstrating magnetic ink (Note: This video is unrelated to the study):
Markus Kuhn, a University of Cambridge computer scientist, suggested more specialized detectors that wouldn’t get tripped up with signal interference. Gizmodo also states that as of right now it is not possible to differentiate via this method the type of bills one may be carrying.
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Comments (52)
sjohn70037
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 10:18amThis is a VERY old story. Back in the ‘90’s the Feds were parking motor homes along side interstate highways testing the “new money” that contained the embedded magnetic strips. They were attempting to determine if they could sense drug money as it passed by. As a member of the law enforcement community we were told to leave the motor homes alone.
So, just go back to sleep America, while your liberty swirls the drain and be sure to re-elect that pos muslim for president. The Republic is doomed.
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 11:08amYeah, I remember some of those disclosures. There were also claims that the banking system really wants to go ‘cashless.‘ People don’t really care for that, much. Banks can’t keep track of their stuff as it is. Having to accept their determination of my balance would really not make me happy at all.
But, as far as “digital signal processing” to ‘determine’ the amount of money carried, isn’t much of a hindrance. I worked in DSP testing at motorola for years. They can parse a pico amp / volt and tell you everything you need to know (1×10-15) with considerable accuracy.
Report Post »myptofvu
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 8:57amThis has been going on in the US for decades. At International airports the amount was read as you passed thru the metal detector. If more than 10k they would also play the PSA of how you must declare amounts of 10k or more…they would then record the PSA as proof in court that you knew you were breaking the law by not reporting.
Report Post »2ndOpinion
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 6:10amIt has nothing to do with metal detectors figuring out how much money you have. The reason/purpose is so that vending machines, ATM’s etc. can figure out what you gave it. Same principle as in a tape recorder where the tape head reads the magnetic pattern on the tape to play the music. The vending machine has a similar tape head that reads the pattern of the magnetic ink.
The reason this is such a ‘conspiracy’ is that most anybody younger than 25 probably has never seen or even knows what a tape recorder is.
Report Post »jujubeebee
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 8:04amThe ATM machines and the money machines at the casinos already work that way. Why should metal detectors at the airport work the same way?
Report Post »Not sure your argument holds up since we don’t need improvement in that area.
AnimalsAsLeaders
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 12:05amWho cares? If the government wants to see how much money I have, they can just check my bank account.
Report Post »Oh no, the gestapo can tell I have $50 in my pocket!
TRILO
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 9:58pmSoon, having any money on your person will be considered suspect. If you have cash on hand you are not the minion under government control so you must be a drug dealer or a terrorist. Cash gives you freedom. If the electric power goes out, there is financial chaos or any other reason, you do not need to rely on a useless debit or credit card or the government You can still use your cash. Cash is King!
Ah, but the government can not have self sufficient citizens so they will do everything in their power to make people who use cash out to be a criminal. Heck, already one of the signs of being a terrorist is paying with cash, especially if you use it to buy any type of survival supplies like an MRE. Hell since most people in this country have been fooled into believing there is a terrorist under every d@mn rock or around every corner they will be suckered right into the trap.
We have entered The Brave New World. I just wonder how many people will stand up to the tyranny? These days, my guess is not enough. :-(
Coming soon to a TSA checkpoint near you… naked body scanners, full body pat-downs AND confiscation of cash. All in the name of public safety….. of course!
Baa-Baa-Baa
Report Post »Netsurfer2
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 9:44pmIt seems as though no matter where you go now days your always being violated! It should be none of the governments business how much money you carry on you, as long as you paid the taxes on your wages! It also seems as though no one really wants you to own your home in that your always paying taxes on it and can never really own it outright!
Report Post »nighttrainno9
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 9:41pmThe police have some sort of electronic gadget that tells them
Report Post »how much cash your carrying. A local man was transfering some cash
and the cops pulled him over and asked him where he was
going with $42,000.00 dollars and he told them “ to the bank”.
They hauled him in anyway but later on had to release him.
The point is, they do know.
chips1
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 9:28pmIt was illegal to take more than $10,000 across the Mexican border. Years ago they had the machines set up to detect large sums of cash south. I guess it has been greatly improved. It just doesn’t work on guns.
Report Post »tharpdevenport
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 10:22pmNo, they improved the sneaky methods. They’re now called “Western Union” and “Moneygram”.
Report Post »JohnofOregon
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 12:26amIt is a automatic red flag on any transfer of ten k. Remember what they did to rush. I have been flagged by the Feds. Talk to a cop or bank manager. Our whole federal government is big brother.
Report Post »tharpdevenport
Posted on March 28, 2012 at 6:32pmIt’s also suspicious if you carry more than a certain amount of cash on you, in your car, etc. In fact, I remember a news story from a few years ago where a guy with his own personal money — not stolen — was pulled over, the money discovered, and it was taken from him — last I heard, back then, he did not get it back. That was here in America.
Report Post »tharpdevenport
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 9:20pmOH, now we got to know if any money people have on them is smuggled/illegal/etc. — we’ll just etch another piece of search & seizure (not much left).
“Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a
Report Post »little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.”
The Third Archon
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 7:59pm“Gizmodo also states that as of right now it is not possible to differentiate via this method the type of bills one may be carrying.”
Report Post »That would be easy to change however. The power of science is indiscriminate–nor can what has been unlearned by unlearned, as knowledge can always be uncovered it if it is possible to uncover it, by independent means (in the same way it is first discovered). The only defense is to arm yourself with the same knowledge, and level the playing field of power.
taxpro4u03
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 9:02pmAbsolutely. The Axiom ‘nature always bats last’ is true in all things ‘earthly.‘ I take that to mean basically ’yin-yang.’ — In today’s up-is-down, right is wrong world, we MUST stay focused and KNOW that good (nature) has to (as a natural law, i.e. GOD’s law) prevail. It’s up to US to seek it out and APPLY it. Those that do — ‘win by default.‘ The ’establishment’ HATES that ;-) I think it was Reagan (like him or hate him, no matter) that said, ‘Yes pray, but row toward shore.’ — People sitting around waiting for someone to ‘save them’ are always disappointed. The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your own arm. True. Same with ‘freedom and liberty. It‘s only a ’right’ if it is actively and postively EXERCISED — too much like work for most people… Just my humble opinion.
Report Post »Captain Crunch
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 9:10pm“The only defense is to arm yourself with the same knowledge, and level the playing field of power.”
Like wrapping your money wad around a hard drive magnet.
Report Post »ProbIemSoIver
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 7:51pmIt’s no ones business how much cash I carry.
It clearly states on the federal reserve note that this “This note is legal tender for all debts public and PRIVATE !!!!
Well, all my debts and transactions are PRIVATE !!!
It‘s NO one’s Freakin Biz !!!!!
If there is a LAW against being rich, show it to me. If there is a law stating that an individual can carry on their person, a limit of cash, show it to me.
If there is such a law, it is Unconstitutional.
Article IV states that “The RIGHT of the people to be secure in their PERSONS, houses, PAPERS, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall NOT be VIOLATED” !!!!!
How much more BS are we going to take from these people ?????
Report Post »JP4JOY
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 8:22pm$10,000 in walking around money would be confiscated until you show proof of how you acquired the stash.
Report Post »ProbIemSoIver
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 8:57pmThis is why people need to file a personal fee schedule with the courts. Somehow people have been duped into believing a person has to prove their innocence, whereas in reality, the state has to show probable cause and evidence that you obtained that cash illegally.
Report Post »They have have to prove you are guity of something, you DO NOT have to prove that you are innocent of an ambiguous and unfounded claim.
They Have NO evidence that you have done anything illegal, therefore a notice to the state of a fee schedule would garner a victim of the state to collect a lot of Federal Reserve notes.
I will soon be notifiying all states of the union that my fee will be 15,000 dollars for every hour that my rights are violated. Therefore I would encourage a violation of my 4th amendment rights.
I could make millions.
I would love to see a law that claims that I have to prove innocence. Therefore the state has made the claim that I am guilty without probable cause or evidence.
Once again, How much more BS are we going to take?
TRILO
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 9:39pmAll in the name of the War on Drugs, just go try to buy a car and pay cash. You can be an honest person who has saved for years to go buy the car of your dreams. Fork over $10000 or more in one lump sum and your considered a drug dealer (or terrorist) and the banks are required to report the transaction to our dear old uncle sam. Oh, but do not worry little sheeple, the government is only trying to protect you.
Report Post »ProbIemSoIver
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 10:33pmThe Federal Reserve Private bank seized our Country in 1933 due to a Bankruptcy:
Report Post »They already had a lot of control of our Country due to the Federal Reserve Act of 1913.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlCs7u1ihws
After the seizure, their legal arm, the ABA changed the laws in 1938, bringing forth the Uniform Commercial Code. They have been destroying the Constitution and stealing our liberties ever since.
75% of D.C. politicians are lawyers.
The people at the top are the banksters, they print as much “money” as they want.
This “Money” is based on nothing and is loaned to our “government” with interest.
What a Scam !!!!!
People need to wake the #u@k up !!!!!!!
THXll38
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 7:50pmNo. But the IRS can
Report Post »Searchingforthelight
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 7:45pmCould that have something to do with the shiny 20 on a 20 dollar bill? What I’d like to know is what bill will the World Bill Be? Will it be coin, cash, or credit? Will have a picture of a President, a Dictator or a King? Will it display a Dragon, Knight, or a Beast? Or will it not exist at all. Will we just build our own homes, and grow our own food?
Report Post »chips1
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 9:34pmIt will be imbedded on or under the skin. You won’t be able to make a transaction without “The Mark of the Beast”. It’s coming!!! (Obama’s Mark)
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 7:42pmOnce we go to Digital Money… only Cash Cards… and the Government forbids “Giving Money”… there will be No Black Market nor means to Sell Gold or Your Stuff. And, by Law… Everyone will be happy in ObamaVille!
Report Post »65Plus
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 7:31pmGet a fairly strong magnet and bring it near a paper dollar bill. You will at some point see it “jump” to the magnet, and then “stick” to it as you pull the bill away. Yup – magnetic ink.
Report Post »JP4JOY
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 7:25pmAn easier way to carry a large quantity of “cash” would be to carry $20 gold coins. By todays rules you are allowed to carry $5,000 cash without declaring it. That would be 250 coins. It would also be $425,000 at $1,700 per oz. It would weigh just over 17 pounds.
Report Post »term limits for congress
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 7:10pmMy takeaway from this story is that airport metal detectors will be able to detect how much cash you’re taking out of the country.
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 7:07pmIf this is what we are being told…………………. just imagine – truth is stranger than fiction.
Report Post »macpappy
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 8:06pmI have a friend that moves large sums of cash as a finacial courier who operates inconspiously. He drives a regular 1 ton van, is armed and always has a shot gun rider with him. He told me that every time he passes a toll booth, or travels a toll road he is pulled over for appearantly no reason. When he explains that he is a courier and has his papers in order they let him go. He has come to the conclusion that somehow they can detect his money as he travels these routes.
Report Post »Truth, if that is what it is, is stranger than fiction.
IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 7:05pmReally won‘t matter much as they won’t have much to count with the government taking our money to spend for investments and it flies away never to be seen again.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 6:56pmBoy people who post on their own posts and preach 24/7 and try to act pious are annoying.
Report Post »Exrepublisheep
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 7:08pmL……………….O………………..L………..(Yup)
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 8:41pmYou must mean Tim the Necromancer, he is afraid of rabbits you know, they have a mean streak a mile wide, and big teeth.
Report Post »marcus_arealius
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 6:51pmAttention inventors (with nothing else to do) : the portable SCIF for cash.
Report Post »Talent-Keyhole
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 12:07pmPortable SCIFs have been around for some 30 years, a tent-like enclosure with E- and H- Field Radiation absorption for TEMPEST and RED/BLACK, and youput it up in a motel room. Might be an interesting exercise to have a seamstress make a grounded metallic mesh coverall with a hood which would take the place of the usual tin-foil hat. Don’t ask me how I know all of this, I think they are watching me already … oh, wait, there’s someone at the backdoor and he ………………………………………………………………………
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 6:43pmWho has money now days? I guess the only thing the detectors will be good for is determine who to rob and who to laugh at.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 6:40pmIt won’t affect me, but only millionaires who want to leave with millions. Besides paper money is wrecked anyways.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 6:46pmThis isn’t a good time to be alive if you worship money, and things.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 6:49pmYou should have thought about it more thoroughly before you decided to get rich on Satan’s dollar.
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 7:11pmHey Jim!
Report Post »You ok? You only signed up on Feb 9th, do not worry as the liberalism detoxification continues sanity will ensue.
Hold on dude.
GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 8:22pmITSJUSTTIM = ELIASIM 2.0, 2012 upgrade
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 8:43pmITSJUSTTIM:
I bet you are the one who also posts all those Cougar spam posts. Preaching to us, and trying to get us to support your sin. Go ahead and post like twenty times to respond to this. I know it must be tough typing with only one free hand.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 6:38pmI already have a metal wallet for my credit cards .. now I will get one for my cash!
Report Post »SpeckledPup
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 6:33pmboy, that one will give that rabid animal obama’s filthy Gestapo coniption fits when we go by, because we haven‘t carried good ol’ cold hard cash on us in 3 years. just bein’ careful.
Report Post »Exrepublisheep
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 7:09pmYou’re an obvious leftie plant.
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