You must have heard that according to identity force 1 out of every 15 people fall victim to something called identity theft. Well, these stats date back to 2017 but the cases are dropping with the passage of time.
The reason? Advanced authentication procedures are undertaken by banks and people becoming more aware of how they can protect themselves.
In this revolutionized world of technology, we see emerging inventions every day. Inventions from surgeries on grapes to RFID chips, these advancements serve to improve our lives in one way or the other. But here comes the bad news, if technology is evolving, so are the problems.
You might have heard of wireless identity theft or perhaps have been a victim of it yourself. It can happen as simple as when you are walking down the subway and before you know it, someone has stolen your credit card information. It’s just a matter of seconds and If you don’t take measures immediately, you might as well lose years’ worth of hard work in the bank.
But what if I say you don’t have to worry about losing your personal information anymore? You can easily roam around a crowded place without having to fear about wireless identity theft!
Yes, that’s right. And that’s exactly where RFID blocking wallets come into the picture. These wallets are designed to help protect you from electronic pickpocketing. If you want to ensure that nobody steals your identity while you grab your daily espresso from starbucks, then it’s high time you invest in one.
Now, the real question arises, is RFID-Blocking wallet even worth my investment? I wouldn’t impulsively buy it, would you?
Well, you need to keep reading to find that out.
What is RFID?
In order to acknowledge the threats, it’s important we understand what RFID really is. RFID is short for radio frequency identification and it refers to a technology that uses radio waves to transfer data from an embedded chip to credit cards in order to allow contactless transactions.
RFID chips, or “tags,” have been used by businesses for years to have control over inventory and shipments. However, modern-day RFID chips are taking it to another level. Nowadays, you don’t have to stand in long grocery queues, rather just walk right out of the door. Not just that, these chips are used to make credit cards and passports that can be read without being scanned through a machine.
Now, this is exactly what those sophisticated thieves take advantage of. The frequency waves from the scanners are strong enough to pass through your clothing, handbag and wallet. All a thief needs to do is to have a reader, the rest is no sweat. Skimmers purchase RFID scanning devices online and pick up credit card numbers, expiry dates, and CVV (card verification value) codes without it even leaving your purse or wallet. Once a skimmer has hold of the card information, it’s relatively simple to make duplicate copies and access the data.
How To Protect Ourselves From Skimmers?
Skimmers are devices used to collect information from RFID chips. In order to protect yourself, all you ought to do is to keep an eye on all your bank accounts, be aware of the people around you and look out for anyone who is acting suspiciously.
Secondly, RFID-Blocking wallets are terrific inventions that will not only assure you financial protection, but give easy access to cards in your wallet too. Here’s everything you need to know about them.
What is an RFID Blocking Wallet?
These wallets are created to prevent skimmers from picking up your card information in the first place. Wallets designed with this kind of technology stop the wireless signal from being transmitted to the skimmers.
The wallet uses an electromagnetic enclosure technology called Faraday cage to make credit cards electromagnetically opaque. It does this by inserting a thin protective sheath of metal or carbon fiber that is located within the interior of the wallet, which automatically blocks the wireless signal to be transmitted to the criminal’s scanner.
Moreover, one thing to bear in mind is to keep your credit/debit card in your wallet for as long as possible as there is no protective shield outside it.
Why Do You Need an RFID Blocking Wallet?
Yet, the question remains the same. Is my investment really worth it? Is the danger real?
If you have RFID embedded in your credit card, you seriously need this. In search for this product, I bet you must have come across many articles and stats proving that you may or may not need the wallet. However, wireless identity theft is a larger problem than most people realise. According to the industry-leading security software NortonLifeLock and CNBC, identity theft is growing at a rapid speed and cybercriminals are on the rise all over the world.
No, that doesn’t mean you should panic and start destroying your RFID-embedded credit cards and passports.
An RFID blocking wallet is proven to be the most secure method of preventing wireless criminal identity theft. In addition to that, various consumer surveys reveal that RFID-blocking wallets work better than everything else.
Just like traditional wallets, these technologically advanced wallets offer the same durability and come in various sizes and designs to make them look no different than the rest, but with an advantage of additional security to prevent those electronic pickpockets walking around to obtain access.
Conclusion
All in all, technology was born to be convenient, not secure. Unsecured and unprotected wireless devices are everywhere. Now, you don’t have to wrap your credit card with aluminum foil to protect it.
With that being said, it’s always a good idea to purchase a product that steps up your security game and give you peace of mind. Having an RFID blocking wallet won’t just give you a sense of security but will also allow you to carry numerous cards instead of cash wherever you want.
As far as the price is concerned, it can prove to be one of the best investments in the long run. So, what are you waiting for? Check out various wallets that fall under this category and take your pick!
