Your wallet just got high-tech. It’s amazing how much of our personal information is contained in such a small package—whether in your purse or pocket, your wallet holds everything that an electronic pickpocket needs to steal your identity and livelihood.
Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) is the use of radio waves to read and capture information from an object. These objects can be read from up to several feet away and do not need to be within direct line-of-sight of the reader to be captured.
RFID skimming is a form of digital theft—it enables information from RFID based smart cards to be read and duplicated. It can be used as a form of wireless identity theft or credit card theft as well as other forms of information theft. Typically, it works by the unauthorized reading of RFID chips at a distance using an RFID reader device, which downloads the card information.
Most credit and debit cards have RFID technology embedded in them, as do passports that track your photo and data. RFID chips are a convenient and easy way to store and use your data without taking anything out of your wallet. However, the danger of a counterfeit reader picking up your information without your knowledge or consent, exists and is becoming more common than you may think.
RFID-blocking wallets do more than just keep your money and cards organized, they keep your personal information safe from high-tech thieves. They are designed to protect you from electronic pickpocketing—RFID skimming. RFID-blocking wallets are designed to impede your cards’ RFID signals, making them difficult to read remotely.
RFID skimming is a serious issue and can happen anytime, anywhere. RFID protection is a necessity to combat this growing risk. Fortunately, there are some awesome products available from Signal Vault to keep you safe.
It’s a frightening thought that someone can read your credit cards, passport and driver’s license without seeing them or without you swiping them. Steps to protect yourself from this violation are easy, moderately priced and hip. Why put yourself at risk when you can just upgrade your wallet to high-tech?