How do fraud artists take advantage of RFID chips?
Thanks to RFID chips, you can quickly pay for your purchases simply by tapping your card against a reader, which sends the necessary information for your payment. Unfortunately, nearby fraudsters with the right reader can also capture your personal information, such as your name and your credit card number and expiration date—in short, everything they need to use your info to make a purchase.
Data theft is harder in the case of passports. The fraudulent reader must be located no more than 10 cm (4 in) from the passport, which must be open to the second page. Despite this, it is recommended that you protect your passport just like your payment cards.
How can you protect yourself?
There is a wide range of so-called RFID-blocking products, including pouches and cases to store your cards when you’re not using them.
There are also RFID-blocking wallets, card sleeves and document holders that protect all their contents, as well as purses and travel bags that have RFID-blocking sections or pockets where you can stash your chip-equipped items.
