For too long I dismissed the possibility of identity theft or fraud via one of those increasingly common long-distance RFID readers. This was because I normally do not carry a credit card, a passport, or a driver’s license.
However, even though I’m not a tin-foil-hat-wearing paranoid, I’ve been traveling more than usual lately and this does require me to carry a passport for airport security (TSA), a credit card for the hotel (even though I pay cash), and a driver’s license for renting a car. Thus, the time had come to get some protection for the
RFID chips.
[1] An RFID-blocking
passport case. My passport goes on the left. On the right are four slots for my single credit card, my AAA card, my driver’s license and my business cards.
[2] An elegant
RFID-blocking wallet made from Italian leather, for occasional use around town—primarily for its good looks. Each pocket has its own layer of shielding material.
[3] A
front-pocket wallet for protection against pickpockets (also RFID-protected). I was a little doubtful about this one, even though I do switch my wallet from my back left pocket to my front left pocket when trapped in a crowd. However, I got used to this one fast, liked it, and plan to carry it on future trips.
Low-cost solutions:
If you are not yet ready for an RFID-blocking wallet, stack your credit cards and driver’s license next to each other. That will at least reduce their strength. A more secure solution is to wrap them in tin foil, if you can find it. (It seems to be disappearing from the market.) Do not use aluminum foil—that doesn’t work.
Or, for $8.95 you can buy an RFID-blocking three-layered
electronic shield which is the size of a dollar bill. It fits nicely in any wallet.
Labels: identity theft, passports, pickpockets, RFID, RFID blocking, RFID protection, safe travel, wallets
Privacy blog post by JJ Luna at 12:10 AM
