Abstract: The card reader includes a structure (12) for receiving a card limited by a housing for the card and also a slot (16) for insertion of the card into the housing, the receiving structure (12) including a portion (30A, 30B) for guiding the inserted card to a position within the housing for reading the card. The card reader also includes: a sweeper (40) mounted so as to slide within the receiving structure (12) from a rear position located opposite the slot (16) clear of the housing to a forward position within the housing close to the slot (16), the sweeper (40) having a front surface (46) covering at least a part of the transverse cross-sectional surface area of the housing, a mechanism (28) for operating the sweeper (40) to cause the sweeper (40) to slide from its resting position towards its forward position.