RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification, and it comes as a tag or data chip that is used in a number of everyday products, such as building ID cards, credit cards and all U.S. passports issued after 2006, that are remotely accessed when held near a reader. These no-swipe cards provide a contact-less transaction in which the user only has to hold the RFID-enabled card near the reader to access the data on the card.
Though RFID tags are convenient for corporations looking for fast building access, consumers seeking speedy purchases and travelers who are leaving the country, they have been electronically copied by hackers who can skim information off of the tags from feet away. RFID tags are a concern for anyone who beeps into an office building, at a grocery store, in a cab or at the airport — leaving vulnerable your office building, bank account, passport and identity.
According to Consumer Reports, you may not even know you are carrying a card that contains an RFID chip. MasterCard uses “PayPass” to identify the cards. Chase bank coined the term “Blink.” Some contact-less cards, which use RFID, might simply have a symbol on the card consisting of four curved lines. An industry newsletter, The Nilson Report, says 35 million contact-less chip cards are in circulation in the United States.
Luckily, there are companies out there who make RFID blocking products to help keep you protected.
Wallets
HuMn Wallet 2 are made from aluminum for durability and 3K Twill Carbon Fiber plates complete with EMI/RFI-shielding material, and come in a wide variety of colors.
Wurkin Stiffs looks like a traditional wallet, but has a thin alloy matrix fused between embossed Italian calfskin leather panels, blocking radio signals from your credit and debit cards to keep your personal information secure.
Passport Holder
Pacsafe‘s RFID-blocking accessories are designed with state-of-the-art material which blocks out transmissions and stops personal information from being accessed by identity thieves.
Brookstone’s Royce Nappa Leather Passport and currency holder is the stylish way to stay safe, and comes with a one-year warranty.
Badge Cases/Card Holders
DIFR Wear Badge case comes in your choice of black leather or vegan-friendly black vinyl.
DIFR Wear also makes sleeves for individual cards. Available as a set of three RFID-blocking sleeves for credit cards, for a set of two passport jackets and eight card sleeves.
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