Do RFID-Blocking Wallets Really Work?
Remember the days when the most difficulty you had to face when buying a wallet was whether you wanted bifold, trifold, or clutch?
Nowadays, it’s far less straightforward. A new and potentially perplexing option has entered the market: RFID-blocking wallets.
These unique wallets do more than just keep your money safe — they also protect your bank cards from high-tech thieves. So let's put the question of do RFID-blocking wallets really work to bed.
What is RFID?
To understand how RFID-blocking wallets protect your banking information, we need to understand the nature of RFID itself. With the creation of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology came the threat of criminals known as ‘skimmers.’
Skimmers are able to use RFID scanners to detect and siphon the information that is stored in the magnetic strips of your bank cards. They can then use this information to make fraudulent purchases and transfers online or to produce counterfeit cards that can be used as if they were the original.
RFID makes use of an electromagnetic field that is capable of identifying and tracking objects that have been integrated with RFID technology. This technology is basically an improved version of that which is used in barcodes.
RFID technology was invented during World War 2 as a means to identify British aircraft as they returned from a mission. These days, we use RFID technology as a way to boost efficiency for numerous industries, from retail, to shipping, to banking.
RFID chips also make it easier for warehouses to track their products, thus increasing the speed of the fulfillment process. Many companies also use them to enhance security by tracking employee movements during the workday.
Everything You Need to Know About RFID Wallets
RFID wallets are arguably the best way to protect your banking information and cards from skimmers. Skeptics and conspiracy theorists will have you believe that the only way to protect yourself from skimmers is to wrap all your belongings in tin foil. Obviously, this is not true.
RFID blocking wallets were created for the express purpose of protecting your banking information from skimmers. Inside each RFID wallet is a layer of either carbon fiber or metal.
This unique layer blocks the electromagnetic fields created by RFID scanners from reaching your cards that have been embedded with an RFID chip. The material, which is considered conductive, distributes the electromagnetic field throughout your wallet while simultaneously denying passage through the shield.
This is the process that keeps your credit and debit cards safe and keeps skimmers out. Do note, however, that in order for your cards to be considered safe, they need to be inside the wallet itself. Merely being in close proximity to the wallet will not protect them, and skimmers will be able to retrieve your banking information.
Why Do You Need an RFID Wallet?
Many people are unaware that the frequency waves created by RFID scanners are strong enough to pass through your clothing, backpack, handbag, and wallet, which is why it is so crucial to invest in an RFID wallet. Each person that is in possession of something with an RFID chip is at risk of having their information stolen if they do not protect it adequately.
Some of the most common concerns amongst people looking to buy an RFID wallet is their size and durability. Modern RFID wallets do not need to be bulky, and there is no need for a complicated shield to be built.
In fact, RFID blocking technology is so discreet you won’t even realize it’s there. When it comes to durability, an RFID wallet shares a similar lifespan to conventional wallets but has been known to last longer, depending on your usage.
Do RFID Wallets Work?
It is still a topic of debate whether or not the threat of skimming is as prolific as it is made out to be. For all the sensation around the theoretical danger, few reports of crimes involving RFID skimming have been made.
The technology seems to be much more popular among security researchers than it is among criminals, and for good reason. Thieves are able to steal money and data far more easily using methods other than RFID readers.
Major credit card companies insist that RFID payment systems no longer transmit sensitive data unencrypted, as earlier versions of the technology may have done before.
Modern RFID chips now send a unique, one-time code for every transaction, so that only the most determined thief may be able to make one purchase by recording one unique signal he detects.
Even if this were to happen, cardholders are not liable for fraudulent purchases under the majority of credit card companies these days.
Final Thoughts
To conclude — yes, RFID wallets really do work and are a great way to protect your data from skimmers. However, the sensationalism around RFID crimes might be just that: sensationalism. You can’t be too careful, though.
