RFID skimming technology has often made headlines as a means to steal money and identities. According to news reports, tech-savvy thieves are using special skimming devices to steal information from unsuspecting people, simply by walking past them.
The proposed solution? RFID blocking wallets.
What is RFID?
Credit cards, debit cards, driver’s licenses and passports are all items that use radio frequency identification — RFID — technology. With this technology, information is encoded in smart tags attached to the items, which are used for automatic identification and data transferring.
The risks of RFID skimming
Many hackers have publicly demonstrated how a handheld reader can obtain information from RFID items from approximately a yard away from their target. The information on these items is almost always sensitive; passports give your full name, driver’s licenses give your home address and credit cards contain all the information needed to create clones and steal your money.
What is an RFID blocking wallet?
RFID equipped items are meant to be scanned for information at stores and security checkpoints. An RFID blocking wallet prevents the tags from communicating with devices while they’re safely tucked away in your purse or pocket.
Is an RFID blocking wallet a good investment?
Despite the risks, many would argue that an RFID wallet is not worth the purchase. Though the potential to exploit this technology for criminal purposes has been demonstrated, there are no documented cases of it having actually occurred. According to experts, stealing information in this manner is too much of a hassle for criminals who can gain access in much easier ways. Currently, danger of RFID skimming crimes is considered purely theoretical.
However, just because something has not yet happened does not mean it never will. If an RFID blocking wallet doesn’t cost significantly more than a regular wallet, and if owning one brings peace of mind, it could be a solid investment.
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