Do You Need an RFID-Blocking Wallet?
Credit cards offer convenience and efficiency when it comes to making payments. And because of this, they are a part of everyday life for most people. Unfortunately, it can be easy for people to steal credit card information. In fact, of all identify theft fraud cases in 2017, about 16.8% were credit card fraud. But there are a few things people can do to prevent their card information from being stolen through RFID. Let's explore a few reasons why everyone should invest in an RFID-blocking wallet.
First off, it's important to understand how RFID works. RFID, which stands for Radio Frequency Identification, uses electromagnetic waves to connect with items that use special chips containing information -- which are the chips on credit cards. So it's pretty similar to barcodes or magnetic stripes, but RFID-embedded information can be read through short distances rather than just through direct contact.
So how can RFID be used to steal credit card information? The RFID chips on credit cards that make them so easy to use also make them vulnerable. Credit card data can be stolen if someone uses a special radio scanner that can read the frequency waves RFID-embedded items emit. Card information can be scanned through clothing, purses, and even wallets. So while RFID scanners have made making payments much easier, other RFID technology can be used for ill intent.
Fortunately, there are products you can buy to help protect your information. An RFID-blocking credit card wallet, like a carbon fiber wallet or aluminum plate wallet system, can prevent hackers from stealing the RFID-embedded information from your card. These minimalist and thin wallets are built with layers of metal, usually carbon or aluminum, to block the electromagnetic fields that can be used to access the card's information, basically acting like a shield. So with the right carbon fiber wallet, your information can remain secure.
Hopefully, this article shed some light on the importance of protecting any RFID-embedded information you carry on your person. Investing in a good RFID-blocking wallet will allow you to continue enjoying the convenience of credit cards without worrying about becoming a victim of theft.