A RFID Blocking Wallet Can Prevent Identity Theft

RFID chips are becoming a part of our daily lives. What are they you ask? RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification Devices and they are tiny, passive radio transmitters that are often placed in products to prevent theft. Now they are also being embedded in identification cards and credit cards to speed up transactions.

These passive transmitters lie dormant until activated by a nearby RFID reader, which sends out a strong radio current that powers them on, then makes them send out a signal which "chirps" information such as credit card account information, expiry date, etc.

The double bars that you walk through at the deparment store are RFID readers and they send out a strong signal that makes the chips "speak".

In the same way gas stations have installed lower powered versions on gas pumps to read quick pay gas cards. Even Visa and Mastercard are getting into the act with RFID chips in some cards that let you swipe them near a terminal without touching it.

The new US Passports as well as those of several other nations, contain RFID chips. All of this technology is fine and good if it is kept in the right hands; but now hackers or identity thieves are making their own portable readers to steal your private information. These covert RFID readers can be made for under $50 from parts available on eBay, and can be disguised as a briefcase, umbrella, or other object. By aiming the covert reader at your wallet or purse, even from across a crowded room, identity thieves can steal your most sensitive information and use it for their own dark purposes..

There have already been several cases of RFID identity theft. All a hacker has to do to build a device is look for plans on the internet and he can be stealing credit card numbers the next day. (For any of you thinking of building your own RFID chip reader, it is a felony and if caught you will face severe penalties.)

Some people are protecting themselves by wrapping their credit cards in aluminum foil. This does work by creating a shield around the RFID chip, blocking the incoming activation signal.

A better and more convenient way is to use a RFID blocking wallet. These wallets contain a metal fiber mesh that makes a "cage" around the chip that radio waves cannot penetrate.

If you think this is all just "tinfoil hat paranoia stuff",  you are mistaken. Chances are that right now you are walking around with a small radio transmitter on your person. If your credit card, passport or drivers license has a RFID chip inside, and it is not shielded, your identity is at high risk and you should consider doing something about it at once.

In addition to protecting your identity with a RFID blocking wallet you should sign up for an identity theft protection system, in case your wallet is lost of stolen. It does not take thieves long to use the contents of your wallet to establish credit and ruin your good name.