The latest smart cards have tiny microprocessor chips that encrypt the personal data shared with the sales terminals used by merchants. Even if a thief manages to steal a smart card number, its useless without the chip. In Canada, where Target and others have adopted smart cards, losses from card skimming were reduced by 72 percent from 2008 to 2012, according to industry estimates. Target is also investing in solutions that will make mobile transactions more secure, we hope in the near future.”]
Source: https://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/technology/197278-time-for-smartcards/