Abstract: A data bearing card having first contacts connected to an integrated circuit on the card is read and confiscated if invalid or bogus. The card is translated in a first direction from an admission chamber to a reading station having second contacts adapted to engage the first contacts so data signals can be coupled between the integrated circuit and a data processor. After data stored in the integrated circuit have been read through the contacts the card is fed in a second direction of travel from the reading station back toward the admission chamber until the card has been completely extracted from the reading station. If the card is bogus, the reading station pivots to open a path for the card to a confiscation bin located beneath the reading station. The bogus card is then fed in the first direction into the confiscation bin.