RFID BLOCKING: Definition, How It Works & Why You Need It

In a cash-free economy, contactless scanning is the key to fast, streamlined transactions. For many, however, the increasing prevalence of non-physical payment methods raise new security concerns.

Obtaining a wallet that protects your information provides one of the best ways to avoid having your identity stolen and emptying your bank account.

WHAT IS RFID?

RFID stands for ‘radio frequency identification’. Credit cards and passports use RFID technology to allow machines to scan them from a short distance. It's this system that facilitates contactless payment and that some worry could be vulnerable to criminal manipulation.

Some users worry that a bad actor standing nearby could surreptitiously access their card's RFID function. In so-called “skimming” attacks, a thief can theoretically withdraw money from the victim’s account as they walk by in the street or wait in a store line.

Long story short, hackers can easily steal your information. Almost every credit or debit card now has a chip included. This chip contains imperative information that they transmit to pay for something or take money from your bank. On the off chance that someone has an RFID reader, they could activate the chips in your wallet and find the information they need. They could potentially skim entire credit card numbers from your pocket. This doesn’t happen too often, but it’s better to be safe!

WHAT IS RFID BLOCKING?

RFID blocking materials can effectively prevent the scanning function on a card or passport, and the range of products that boast this feature is steadily growing.

In the past, wallet choices used to be quite simple. Leather or synthetic; trifold, bifold, or money clip; tons of pockets or just a few. Those options, however, didn’t seem to come with a way to protect your card information. While all those simple wallets couldn’t protect you before, with an RFID card holder, you can protect yourself from malicious hackers. Their design insulates your belongings from the hacker’s radio waves. With the right wallet, you can take the right steps to protect yourself from identity theft.

WHAT CAN AN RFID-BLOCKING WALLET DO FOR YOU?

In conclusion, there is a benefit to getting a solid RFID blocking wallet like the ones we have at The Calibur, which blocks hackers' interrogating radio waves, protecting you from getting your information stolen.

If you think an RFID blocking wallet is right for you, turn to The Calibur. We can help you get through the holidays worry-free with a safe and high-quality wallet. Check us out now!