With the shift of contactless credit cards and smart passports, there has been a rise in concern about RFID theft. The idea is that people can use remote scanners to lift the information on your cards and either use it to generate fake payments or use your personal info for other scams. But is RFID theft really a problem? Do you need RFID protection? This post looks at the realities of RFID theft.There are also practical ways for you to protect your personal details if you need to.
First, what is RFID?
RFID chips embedded in various cards and passports contain information that is conveyed via radio waves. It makes for quicker transactions or transits because it allows scanners to pick up the information with less physical interaction. Here’s a short video that explains it in more detail.
Is RFID theft a real problem?
The overall chances of RFID theft are pretty low, just as theft via pickpockets. However, the risk can depend on what area you’re in and what you’re carrying. Residents of the USA are less likely to be targets of RFID theft than places like Europe. This is because there are simply less RFID credit cards in America. However, useof chip cards in the USA is rising.
If you’re traveling,any new smart passportdoes have ID information stored in there on an RFID chip. If you’d prefer to keep that under wraps, then it may be worth considering anRFID Passport Holder.
Do you have an RFID credit card?
The easiest way to see if you have an RFID chip in your card is to see if there’s an RFID symbol on there. It looks like the icon below.
A lot of new chip credit cards use what’s called either NFD or EMVchips. This is slightly different. They have extra security like unique transaction code signals and a pin or signature for larger transactions. They also need to be much closer to scanners tobe read. The risk of skimming theft is therefore much lower. RFID sleeves and wallets still block any signals from these cards. So, in the unlikely event someone gets so close they can read your card, you’ll still have protection.
So, do you need RFID protection?
The real answer to this is it depends.If you don’t have an RFID credit card, you still may have RFID in a MetroCard, work ID, or smart passport. Whether you want to protect the information on these is your call.
If you’re at low risk, or simply don’t use anything that has RFID in it, then you probably don’t need RFIDprotection.
For low-risk people that still have cards, passports, or ID you’d prefer to keep under wraps, investing in some protection is worth it.
If you travel a lot and want to make sure your personal information in your passport is secure, then it’s well worth getting a passport wallet with blocking technology built in.
RFID protection options
Depending on what you want to protect, there are lots of different options out there.
If you’re protecting mostly credit cards and you don’t need a new wallet, then basicRFID Sleevesare great. They fit into most regular wallets and are nice and cheap.
If you’re buying a new wallet, getone with RFID shielding technology built in it.
In short, the risks are low. But if you’d prefer to concentrate on locking in your best moments, instead of thinking about whether you’re entering a situation where RFID theft is possible, then some investment in RFID protection could be a wise choice.
This article is adapted from Pacsafe’s Travel Blog.
FAQs
For low-risk people that still have cards, passports, or ID you'd prefer to keep under wraps, investing in some protection is worth it. If you travel a lot and want to make sure your personal information in your passport is secure, then it's well worth getting a passport wallet with blocking technology built in.
Is RFID protection really necessary? ›
RFID blocking tools claim to protect users against identity theft by stopping criminals from scanning your passport's ID chip by just rubbing shoulders with you. In practice, however, RFID blocking does little to help in the most likely identity theft scenarios.
How important is RFID protection when traveling? ›
When travelling, especially in crowded places like airports or tourist attractions, the risk of RFID theft increases. Using an RFID blocking wallet can help keep your personal and financial information secure while you're on the go.
Are RFID passport covers necessary? ›
The additional protection of an RFID-blocking passport holder ensures the safety of your personal data, and is recommended by the U.S. Department of State.
Do US passports have RFID protection? ›
Have you ever noticed the circle-inside-two-bars symbol on your passport? This symbol signifies the presence of an RFID chip embedded in the cover. Since August 2007, all U.S. passports have come with this chip, which is intended to deter fraud and improve security.
Do credit cards with chips need RFID protection? ›
However, these products are not necessary to keep your RFID credit cards safe. For a person to compromise your card information, they would have to get very close to you — typically a few inches max — with an RFID reader that could pick up the signal.
What is the disadvantage of using RFID? ›
Disadvantages of RFID:
Some examples of this include: Barcode labels can be very inexpensive (a matter of a few cents per label) whereas RFID tags can run the gamut from $1/tag to upwards of $30/tag, all dependent upon the type of tags you need. RFID readers are also a bit pricier than barcode scanners.
Can my debit card be scanned while in your wallet? ›
Similarly to card skimming, card scanning is a type of payment card theft where the fraudster with a scanning device gets close enough to your bag or wallet to scan your card number. This type of fraud is enabled by the fact that today's payment cards typically work on Radio Identification Frequency (RFID) technology.
Can TSA see through RFID wallet? ›
No, this would not create a problem for you. The x-ray machines would see the antenna as a piece of metal, and security might question you about it, but the transponder should not have any impact on the performance of security equipment.
How do I protect my credit card from being scanned? ›
Preventing Credit Card Scanning
- Buy a card sleeve or RFID wallet that blocks RFID transmissions.
- Stack your cards together to mitigate some of the scanner's ability to read information.
- Leave your cards at home and only use cash in public places.
A passport wallet is worth it for you if you're a frequent flyer, or you want to look stylish while keeping your passport and other travel documents secure in one place. If you're budget-conscious, then they're probably not for you.
Can passports be scanned by thieves? ›
Passports now contain an electronic chip using technology known as RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), so if you leave the passport in its original sleeve, some thieves can steal your information just by walking past you.
Is RFID protection necessary? ›
If you don't have an RFID credit card, you still may have RFID in a MetroCard, work ID, or smart passport. Whether you want to protect the information on these is your call. If you're at low risk, or simply don't use anything that has RFID in it, then you probably don't need RFID protection.
How do I scan my passport RFID? ›
Hold your passport open at the photo page (showing your photo and personal details). Hold your phone above the photo page, so your phone camera can see it. Line up the arrows on your phone screen with the Machine-Readable Zone (MRZ) to complete the scan.
Is RFID theft really a problem? ›
The overall chances of RFID theft are pretty low, just as theft via pickpockets. However, the risk can depend on what area you're in and what you're carrying.
What will happen if you don't get RFID? ›
4. Will I be apprehended at the toll gate if I don't have an RFID by December 1? There will be NO APPREHENSION of motorists without RFID stickers during the transition period from December 1 to January 11, 2021. After January 11, not all lanes at toll gates will be converted to stickering lanes.
Does RFID blocking interfere with cell phones? ›
Will it block cell phone signal? There's a chance it could, but not a big one. Bluetooth and GPS, on the other hand, might get interrupted if your phone case contains an RFID blocker. The best way to make sure you can still hear your music, and not get lost, is by keeping your wallet and your phone in separate pockets.
