Credit cards are one of the essential items that we carry n our wallets. With an increase in the use of plastic money, more people are opting to go cashless and pay for products and services using credit cards.
WE use wallets to protect them from being stolen by other people. However, do you know that having the credit card in your wallet does not really guarantee its safety?
RFID technology
RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification Technology. Credit cards use RFID technology. This is the technology that allows you to use the “tap and go” method of payment using your credit card instead of swiping it at a store when paying for goods. The goal of RFID technology is to make your life easier by making scanning of documents easier
The downside of RFID technology
The flipside of RFID technology is that it is vulnerable to scams. Using RFID scanners, scammers can obtain your credit card information without your knowledge or consent. All the scammers have to do is download the information on your credit card. The scammers then copy your credit card’s information into another card and can use the card to make their own purchases with your money.
Skimming is simply digital pickpocketing that does not even require a person to touch you in order to steal from you. Thanks to the electromagnetic field used in RFID technology, there is no need for a physical interaction between RFID scanners and your wallet. Scary, right? Having learnt that your credit card might not be very safe in your wallet, the question you are now asking is, how to protect your credit card in your wallet.
RFID blocking
There has to be a way to stop credit card scamming right on its tracks, right? Yes, you are correct. There is a way to protect your credit card from being declined at a store because you have insufficient funds, a situation resulting from your information being stolen. RFID blocking wallets. RFID blocking wallets are the solution you are seeking. There are options on the internet, like wrapping your credit card in aluminum foil. However, there is a better option.
What is an RFID blocking wallet?
RFID blocking wallets were created purposely to prevent skimmers from stealing your credit card information right from the get-go.
What is contained in an RFID blocking wallet?
RFID wallets contain a layer or wrapping that is normally made from metal or carbon fiber. This special layer in the wallets works to blocks the electromagnetic fields from accessing your credit card. If your credit card is embedded with an RFID chip, the electromagnetic fields of RFID scanners will not be able to reach your card.
How the carbon fiber works
The metal or carbon fiber wrapping is used as a conductive material. To determine how easily electric charges, transfer through a material, a conductivity measurement is performed. The protective layer found in an RFID blocking wallet works by first taking in the incoming electromagnetic waves that are being generated by a skimmer’s RFID scanner.
The protective layer then spreads the electromagnetic waves around the wallet while at the same time preventing their entry into the wallet where your credit card is being held.
Storage of your RFID embedded credit cards
It is through this process that RFID blocking wallets keep your credit cards safe from skimmers. It is crucial you note one thing when you are trying to find an answer to your question, how to protect your credit card in your wallet. The crucial bit of information is that for your items that have RFID technology to be protected from scamming, they must be held inside the wallet.
Mere proximity to an RFID blocking wallet, even if both your credit card and RFID wallet are in the same pocket, does not keep the sensitive information in your credit card safe. Your credit card has to inside the RFID wallet for it to be safe from scammers.
Why do you need an RFID wallet?
To fully answer the question, hot to protect your credit card in your wallet, you need to understand why you need an RFID blocking wallet. The frequency waves produced by RFID scanners are strong enough to penetrate your clothing, backpack, handbag, and even wallet. With the RFID scanners being this powerful, it is important to have your wallet embedded with a special material to deter RFID scanners.
As long as you have an item with RFID technology, any sensitive data contained in that item is at risk of being stolen. A simple safeguard such as RFID technology can do a long way in protecting your data.
RFID buyer’s concerns
As a potential buyer of an RFID wallet, you may be having some concerns. These concerns include the size and durability of RFID wallets.
Size
We are here to address your concerns. Modern RFID wallets are not bulky. There is no need for a complex construction of an RFID shield. The technology is thin and you will hardly notice its presence. We have RFID wallets that have an ultra-slim design making them portable, lightweight, and discrete.
Durability
An RFID wallet has a similar lifespan to normal wallets. The rate of wear and tear of your RFID wallet depends on your individual use.
Airport security
You may be concerned of going through airport security with an RFID wallet. There is, however no need to be concerned since you are normally required to remove your wallet from your pocket. Your RFID wallet will not cause you any trouble.
We have shown you how you can protect your credit card when it is in your wallet. The way to protect your cards that assures you of maximum protection of your data is an RFID wallet. RFID blocking wallets give you the confidence to walk freely on the streets without having to constantly worry about the safety of information held in your credit card.
