How Do RFID Wallets Work?
If you’ve been shopping for a new wallet, you may have seen that many of them feature RFID-blocking technology. It’s such a huge perk that it’s offered for bi-folds, tri-folds, and minimalist wallets. But what is RFID protection, and does it actually work? Check out this breakdown from our experts for an overview of RFID for wallets and whether they’re worth it.
What is RFID?
RFID is an acronym for Radio Frequency Identification, which is a technology that’s been around since the 1930s. RFID devices use a receiver and a transmitter to send data without needing a line of sight on the target. As technology has evolved, receiver units are getting smaller and smaller, allowing them to be integrated into credit cards, IDs, and passports. This advancing technology also makes it easy for scanners to grab data and speed up transactions.
The Problem With RFID
The most significant liability of RFID tech is that these receivers can be accessed by criminals who can skim through the device and steal your data. It takes seconds to scan your credit card chip or other RFID-enabled cards, exposing your information.
RFID skimming is a huge problem because of how easy it is to access your information. RFID card-reading devices are widely available and easy to obtain. There are also so many apps that can allow SmartPhones to become RFID-reading devices. Even worse, these devices can scan cards from nearly a foot away, meaning people don’t need to get super close to the cards in your pocket. You don’t have to actually touch a card to the scanner for it to skim your data!
So, how do you stop this type of data theft? That’s what RFID protection is for! Using a wallet with RFID lining can prevent skimmers from accessing any RFID-enabled card.
How RFID Protection Works
So, what is RFID protection for credit and debit cards? It’s a way to prevent people from accessing any of your personal information. Blocking an RFID skimmer is actually really simple, as all it takes is a dense layer of metal between the skimmer and the RFID device.
How do RFID wallets work? At PROOF, we add a layer of material that’s infused with steel fibers to protect the cards inside. This material can still be flexible, so you can keep your wallet in your pocket without worrying about discomfort. Every single one of our wallets boasts RFID protection, and each wallet can hold up to 25 cards easily. With such a large capacity, you don’t have to worry about any of your cards being accessible to skimmers because they all fit in one place.
Does RFID in Wallets Work?
Like every product, there are varying levels of quality in RFID wallets. They absolutely work when manufactured correctly. Higher-grade materials and denser shields result in more reliable RFID protection.
At PROOF, we prioritize RFID protection because we know that skimming can happen anywhere, including gas station pumps, ATM machines, restaurants, public transport, and nearly any public space. What our RFID protection is about ensures built-in protection so your data is safe wherever you go.
Other Ways to Protect Your Data
Now that you know what RFID protection is, you can utilize an RFID wallet as your first line of defense. However, there are other recommended practices you should use to ensure data safety, including:
- Place all your credit and debit cards next to each other in your wallet pocket so people can’t sneak up on you from behind to get to your data.
- Don’t stand near people you don’t know when you need to use your credit card at purchase stations.
- Check ATMs and gas station pumps for skimming machines before inserting your card into the slot.
- Never use your PIN when using a debit card. Opt for using your zipcode to prevent any unnecessary information exchange.
Finding The Right Wallet
Knowing what RFID protection is and finding a quality wallet that offers this extra layer of security are two different things. At PROOF, our RFID-protected wallets are the culmination of years of hard work, testing, and sleepless nights to ensure the highest possible quality for every aspect of our products. Shop with us to get the RFID protection you need, along with a durable wallet that has an unrivaled lifetime warranty.
