Is RFID really needed in a wallet?

[jswirs]

I'm asking because I typically carry 3 different credit cards in my wallet, so when my billfold is closed these cards are up against each other. So, can these card readers isolate all the numbers from each of the credit cards? I tend to think not, as the cards are so close to each other. Any thought on this?

[Keefelane66]

I'm asking because I typically carry 3 different credit cards in my wallet, so when my billfold is closed these cards are up against each other. So, can these card readers isolate all the numbers from each of the credit cards? I tend to think not, as the cards are so close to each other. Any thought on this?
Yes, many things are possible with technology just as being on public Wi-Fi with out necessary software to block intrusion. You can make your own RFID for carrying credit cards
https://www.instructables.com/Simple-RFID-Blocking-Wallet/?amp_page=trueI prefer copper foil to aluminum

[Dusty_Star]

Yes, I think RFID is needed. Companies know all starting numbers of credit cards, which ranges belong to which issuers ie: Visa, etc. & also the length of the number. That will allow them to distinguish between the cards in your wallet.

[Altavia]

Yes, many things are possible with technology just as being on public Wi-Fi with out necessary software to block intrusion. You can make your own RFID for carrying credit cards
https://www.instructables.com/Simple-RFID-Blocking-Wallet/?amp_page=trueI prefer copper foil to aluminum

Not necessary...

RFID Credit Cards: Should You Worry About Protection? | Bankrate (https://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/rfid-credit-cards-should-you-worry-about-protection/)


But you can get a dozen for ten bucks.

Set of 12 RFID Blocking Sleeves by Boxiki Travel. Best way to Protect your Cards from Electronic Theft. Durable, Lightweight and Compact Design to fit in any Pocket or Purse. (Black) https://a.co/d/3hYQVjL

[Bill14564]

I'm asking because I typically carry 3 different credit cards in my wallet, so when my billfold is closed these cards are up against each other. So, can these card readers isolate all the numbers from each of the credit cards? I tend to think not, as the cards are so close to each other. Any thought on this?

Not necessary.

- Extremely hard to get the necessary equipment close enough to your wallet to read anything
- Extremely hard/impossible to break the encryption and read the information
- The information from the cards does not include all the information needed to make card-not-present transactions
- Most (all?) credit cards limit your out-of-pocket losses to $50 if they don't waive it entirely

If the RFID sleeves or wallets give you peace of mind then buy one but RFID skimming falls low on the list of things to worry about.

[daniel200]

Not necessary.

- Extremely hard to get the necessary equipment close enough to your wallet to read anything
- Extremely hard/impossible to break the encryption and read the information
- The information from the cards does not include all the information needed to make card-not-present transactions
- Most (all?) credit cards limit your out-of-pocket losses to $50 if they don't waive it entirely

If the RFID sleeves or wallets give you peace of mind then buy one but RFID skimming falls low on the list of things to worry about.

I would like to clarify a point. The chip on your card IS encrypted.

The magnetic strip on your card is plain text and NOT encrypted in any way. (Most european cards stopped using the magnetic strip many years ago)

The magnetic strip “swipe” is not encoded …and hackers can steal your card info easily …. this is common at the gas pump or standalone nonbank cash machines when you swipe using a “Skimmer” device attached to the machine (these devices have been found on Wawa pumps in The Villages)

RFID sleeves can provide some protection. To steal your magnetic strip data a hacker must be within 2 to 3 feet of your card. For example sitting at the airport terminal, the guy next to you can read your card with the right hardware. Or they can just attach the hardware (the hardware can be very small) under a chair and then collect data as different people use the chair

If you are thinking that you want an RFID sleeve, I would recommend purchase of a new wallet that has RFID blocking built into the wallet.

My advice: Never swipe your card if at all possible (because its not encrypted). Use apple pay or the chip … Apple pay is most secure and the chip transaction is encrypted and also very secure.

[Bill14564]

I would like to clarify a point. The chip on your card IS encrypted.

The magnetic strip on your card is plain text and NOT encrypted in any way. (Most european cards stopped using the magnetic strip many years ago)

The magnetic strip “swipe” is not encoded …and hackers can steal your card info easily …. this is common at the gas pump or standalone nonbank cash machines when you swipe using a “Skimmer” device attached to the machine (these devices have been found on Wawa pumps in The Villages)

RFID sleeves can provide some protection. To steal your magnetic strip data a hacker must be within 2 to 3 feet of your card. For example sitting at the airport terminal, the guy next to you can read your card with the right hardware. Or they can just attach the hardware (the hardware can be very small) under a chair and then collect data as different people use the chair

If you are thinking that you want an RFID sleeve, I would recommend purchase of a new wallet that has RFID blocking built into the wallet.

My advice: Never swipe your card if at all possible (because its not encrypted). Use apple pay or the chip … Apple pay is most secure and the chip transaction is encrypted and also very secure.

The magnetic strip is not the RFID signal that tap-to-pay uses.

I’ve not seen any information that the magnetic strip can be read from 2-3 feet away. I doubt that is the case and would be interested in reading an article about that.

[Altavia]

The magnetic strip is not the RFID signal that tap-to-pay uses.

I’ve not seen any information that the magnetic strip can be read from 2-3 feet away. I doubt that is the case and would be interested in reading an article about that.

Correct.

[EdFNJ]

Yes, many things are possible with technology just as being on public Wi-Fi with out necessary software to block intrusion. You can make your own RFID for carrying credit cards
https://www.instructables.com/Simple-RFID-Blocking-Wallet/?amp_page=trueI prefer copper foil to aluminum You don't want "to make your own RFID" you want to "make your own RFID BLOCKER" :D :D

That being said, it seems like a bit of paranoia. Aside from the fact one has zero responsibility for any false charges, you should have more of a concern just giving a card to someone in a store to pay a bill and them taking a photo of it..

[Two Bills]

Our Wise Banking card has no numbers, names or information on it at all .
All that info is stored on phone app if required.
Just a chip, and a magnetic strip, which I am led to understand cannot be read unless passed through a machine.
Not really something I would worry about to be honest.
Lottery winning odds are probably about the same as the odds of my card being hacked in my wallet.

[FinallyRetiredinFlorida]

I'm asking because I typically carry 3 different credit cards in my wallet, so when my billfold is closed these cards are up against each other. So, can these card readers isolate all the numbers from each of the credit cards? I tend to think not, as the cards are so close to each other. Any thought on this?

I worked for a major bank in the fraud department. Always keep on eye on any transaction. (You can have alerts sent to you when you use your card.) Remember-, any fraud suspected, call immediately to have the card shut down… then file a claim for reimbursement. Note: You can LOCK these cards and unlock them to use them…then lock them again. Many people don’t realize you can do that. It’s a pain, but in the app on your phone, lock the card - when you go to use it, unlock it, then lock it again. Better than buying silly foil to cover cards. LOL. Fraudsters are very creative in finding ways to steal, shame they are not so creative in finding a job.

[Babubhat]

Enable purchase alerts on cards. A non issue. You can instantly lock most cards.

Most important to alert debit and atm cards. Had a supposed church test the card for one dollar and immediately replaced the card

[RICH1]

After reading these opinions , I am more confused!

[Dr.Butler]

After reading these opinions , I am more confused!

Lets start with this then.
If your cards do NOT have a symbol similar to the WiFi signal then your card cannot be scanned using an RFID reader. So then you don't need an RFID blocker wallet. Next, IF you do have a card that can be read using an RFID skimmer, then Yes get an RFID blocking wallet. Take it from me, as a person who is currently working within cybersecurity, I am fully versed in what I could do.
Finally, if you can pay using your phone, leave the cards at home and just do that.Apple pay is way more secure than cards (RFID or not). As for the article that was linked. I can understand wanting to get third party input, but at least get it from a cybersecurity professional and not a financial advisor. I mean people here in the villages get the RFID that is used to open the gates, cloned into a chip, that they then place into the mirror of their car. Its literately the same tech. You see it, and yet think "well they couldn't do that to my credit card...."

[Altavia]

RFID Credit Cards: Should You Worry About Protection? | Bankrate (https://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/rfid-credit-cards-should-you-worry-about-protection/)


How secure are RFID credit cards?

RFID credit cards are considered to be as safe as EMV chip cards, and data theft concerning RFID cards is uncommon. This is because of how these cards transmit information and what information is shared.

Unlike traditional credit cards, RFID cards use one-time codes to complete each transaction. Every time you use your RFID card, a new code is created, thus making it more difficult for your information to be compromised.

Do you need RFID-blocking protection?

Because RFID credit cards work via radio frequencies, some concern has been drummed up that a card reader could pick up your card information without your knowledge. For this reason, there are quite a few products on the market, such as sleeves and wallets, that claim to have RFID protection.

However, these products are not necessary to keep your RFID credit cards safe. For a person to compromise your card information, they would have to get very close to you, have a card reader that could pick up a signal and have no barriers between the card and card reader.

While it is technically possible for a thief to find a way to skim your RFID card, they would have to work quite hard to do so.