If your card numbers or passport details get into the wrong hands, it can be impossible to undo the damage. The idea that an attacker could scan nearby credit cards for sensitive information seems plausible. Does RFID blocking prevent identity theft?Īnxiety around identity theft is understandable. The technology and techniques used by criminals are always evolving, but for now there’s little evidence that skimming is an imminent threat. In a 2018 report, UK Finance found no record of any contactless theft occurring that year while a card was still in the possession of its owner. Even if that happens, the damage rarely escalates because purchases made with contactless cards are capped at a relatively low sum.ĭata from both Action Fraud and UK Finance suggests that the threat currently posed by skimming attacks is minimal. If a victim loses money in a “contactless-related” event, it's almost always because their card was physically stolen from them.
The problem is, the studies used to support these claims don't make a compelling case for RFID blocking specifically. You might have seen reports claiming that “contactless crime” can result in huge financial losses, and that's absolutely true. But whether you’re buying an RFID blocker or making your own, the question remains: do you actually need it? Studies suggest that a thick layer of tinfoil from your kitchen will be effective too. You don't have to invest in a designer handbag with integrated aluminum sheeting, of course. A layer of carbon fiber or aluminum can protect you from contactless attacks, and that’s a key selling point for some items. RFID blocking materials can effectively prevent the scanning function on a card or passport, and the range of products that boast this feature is steadily growing.Įverything from wallets to waterproof fanny packs now support RFID blocking capabilities. Could a silent attacker scan your passport or credit card for sensitive information and then impersonate you online? Companies selling RFID products claim to have the solution. In so-called “skimming” attacks, a thief can theoretically withdraw money from the victim’s account as they walk by in the street or wait in a store line.Īnother risk is that of identity theft, a crime that can haunt victims for years after their details are initially stolen. Some users worry that a bad actor standing nearby could surreptitiously access their card's RFID function. It's this system that facilitates contactless payment and that some worry could be vulnerable to criminal manipulation. Credit cards and passports use RFID technology to allow machines to scan them from a short distance. RFID stands for ‘radio frequency identification’. What is RFID blocking, and do you need it to stay safe? What is RFID?
RFID blocking products promise a solution to these problems, with wallets and passport covers that limit RFID scanning, but it’s worth taking a closer look at how effective the technology really is.