This disclosure relates to a card having (i) an infrared-blocking material capable of blocking a plurality of near infrared wavelengths and (ii) at least one phosphor particle capable of absorbing at least one near-infrared wavelength, and a card reader capable of allowing a user to interrogate the card and determine if it is authentic, and to read information from the card. The card reader typically includes a processor configured to cause the card reader to emit at least one wavelength of light, receive at least one additional wavelength of light emitting by the at least one phosphor particle, and identify at least one characteristic of the at least one phosphor particle selected from the group consisting of a location on the card, a rise time of the phosphor, and a decay time of the phosphor.