How to Hack the NYC Subway Metrocard
A couple of small media sources have noted recently that the New York City MTA has been experiencing increasing trouble from what they refer to as "the metro card system exploit" in the subway system. According to the MTA, this exploit has been around for years, but there is nothing they can do to correct it. Apparently the exploit is a result of the system being unable to read bent or damaged cards. To compensate for that error there is a built in fail safe that if a card is swiped 3 times and the computer reads a certain code that tells them it was damaged, on the 4th swipe it lets the swiper through. I guess they figure if someone is using a empty card they they wouldn't swipe it 4 times. Guess again!
Here are the specifics:
1) Bend the bottom right corner of your metro card up to the f (f part of the word facing). It is a 45 degree angle. Close the bend hard
2) Swipe it 3 times and it says "please swipe again"
3) On the 3rd time it says "please swipe again at this turnstile"
4) Swipe one more time with the bend open and it says balance= $0.00, previous balance $2.00. GO
5) Go.