Eli5: When your credit card doesn’t read at a credit card machine, why does covering it with a plastic bag suddenly make it work?

Question

Had this done multiple time at the register. Card not reading, so the cashier will cover the ribbon or the chip with a plastic bag and YATZEE, it goes through. Why?

In: 407

Answer 1

The card reader won’t respond without protection. Card reader insists on *”no glove – no love”*