New ID theft thing to worry about.

The bar code or QR code that is used for you to board an airplane can contain more data than you think. It’s been reported that they can contain your credit card info including the whole number, the 3 digit code on the back and your expiration date.

All it takes is a code reader app on your cell phone to capture this data. I have one of those apps on my phone and it came as part of my AT&T phone plan that I got years ago. Even if this data is encrypted, a good identity thief would have the necessary tools to decrypt the data.

Safest way to keep your data secure is to take the ticket home with you and shred it. In theory, the data will drop from the database after a couple of days, but why take the chance?