Wasn't sure if this was a "Technology tip", "Tourist scam" or "Money saving tip" category post.
Bottom line is that RFID blockers are a solution in search of a problem.
Next time I buy gas I will try to remember to slowly close the distance to the reader with my card to see how close it needs to be to register.
Next time I buy gas I will try to remember to slowly close the
distance to the reader with my card to see how close it needs to be to
register.
I'd be interested in seeing if it could read the card through your non-RFID wallet.
I'd be interested in seeing if it could read the card through your non-RFID wallet
And what happens if you have different credit cards in a non-RFID wallet?
I'm in the "solution in search of a problem" camp, myself.
One datapoint: I'm a member of the Eagles Club in my town. We now have ID cards which work with a sensor at the front door to unlock it. I put my card in the middle of my wallet (approx. 3/4" thick). If I move my wallet to within a few inches of the sensor, the door unlocks.
I admire the merchant who mentioned to make a lot of money, convincing people they had to have RFID blocking, but it’s totally useless
Even if it worked, why would the scammers do it. They’d have to spend money on the scanning equipment. It’s a lot cheaper just go in the dark web and buy 150 guaranteed good credit card numbers.
The last two times our Global Entry cards were renewed, they arrived in RFID card holders with instructions to keep them in the holders unless actually using them. I have no idea why. Possibly just another case of the federal government having been sold a bill of goods for a problem that doesn't exists.
One of our banks gives them free to it's ATM / Debit Card holders. Again, I have no idea why.
But, as was stated in the article, "There’s no downside to using RFID-blocking products for peace of mind..."
Here is the reality of the situation.
Your chip in your card, when it makes a transaction, creates a one time unique transaction number that allows the charge. Your account number, name, and other details are not used. It is a one shot thing.
To do the transaction, if someone could actually walk near you and scan the card, with no interference from other RFID cards, they would need to have a merchant account and be set up to handle transactions, so there is a record of who scammed you, like showing your passport when robbing a bank.
All the CC company has to do is reverse the transaction and delete their access...so from a criminal mastermind standpoint, it just does not work.
If you get warm fuzzies from buying all sorts of RFID items, go ahead, a feeling of false security is better than paranoia and worry after all.
Don’t forget the faraday bag for your phone…
Don’t forget the faraday bag for your phone…
Then lodge a complaint with your contract carrier that your phone is defective because you do not get texts and calls in a timely manner.
this topic comes up every few months.
