RFID parking card melted ?

Complex_Season_8087 | 2026-03-11 01:09 | 9 views

I was recently issued a parking pass that I assume contains an RFID chip. While I was getting organised in my car before entering the parking lot, I had the pass resting on the wireless charging pad in my Tesla Model Y. After that, the pass stopped working. It appears to have not only de-synchronised but also developed what looks like a small burn hole or damaged spot on both sides. Is it possible that the wireless charging pad interfered with or damaged the RFID chip? I’m being accused of using a ‘tool’ to damage the pass by the parking lot administrator.

Comments (8)

dev0n 2026-03-11 01:16

Yup sounds like you cooked it, rfid cards contain a thin coil of wire acting as an antenna & induction coil, when waved at a card reader the induction coil in the card receives just enough power wirelessly to transmit it’s authentication/code. Same tech as a wireless charger just at a much smaller scale, so resting the card on the wireless charger probably over energized the coil and fried the card’s internals

Complex_Season_8087 2026-03-11 01:24

Appreciate the insight. Thanks.

deztructo 2026-03-11 04:04

Plastic actually melted or being overdramatic? My garage opener remote that I left on the charging pad needed to be re-learned once. Thankfully you can turn the charging pads off as of a few months ago.

midnight_to_midnight 2026-03-11 13:50

Quick question...where in the menus is the control to shut off the charging pads? I'm curious, because I looked for it in my 2019, but was unable to find it. For the record, I know the 2019's don't have an OEM wireless pads, but many (like myself) have upgraded to the 2021+ center console, and I wish they'd push that option down to all models, and let it work for the USB slots under the phone resting area in the pre-2021 consoles. Edit - spelling

kittysworld 2026-03-11 19:10

I place my credit card inside my phone case and the whole thing on the charger. My credit card with a chip never developed any issues. Im still able to use it. The card is closer to the charger than my phone, so i don't know why. Phone charges fine too.

dev0n 2026-03-11 19:15

Most contactless cards use NFC at 13Mhz not RFID at 125khz which is what’s very similar to Qi charging operating range

dev0n 2026-03-11 19:18

Very welcome, sorry to hear it though

Slayerz00m 2026-03-14 21:10

Why were you charging the RFID tag? Anything with metal coils or even Metal body will absorb induction energy and definitely get hot

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