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Security Tips: For Protecting Yourself from Electronic Pickpockets.

RFID wallet for men with bank cards inside on an orange background

In South Africa, credit and debit card fraud is a lucrative operation. Reportedly, this number is north of 300 million rands every year and rising as contactless payments becomes more ubiquitous.

We offer genuine, affordable RFID wallets for men and women. But hang on just a moment, what’s an RFID-blocking wallet, and do you even need one?

It’s no secret that most contemporary payment cards contain an embedded chip that enables contactless payments. They transmit information wirelessly to allow for quick and easy personal verification between purchases.

As conveniently swift as wireless is, this technology opens the door to trickery from wireless thieves and opportunists. Always altering their methods to match the current digital, financial landscape.

What Is RFID Skimming?

RFID (radio frequency identification) skimming is an incident that’s emerged from the rise of contactless payments. Colloquially, it’s known as electronic pickpocketing.

It’s like the way a cash register scans your card when you’re done shopping. Except that this time, it’s not groceries you’re swiping for, rather it’s your personal information and privacy that’s being swiped from you.

How Does This Happen?

The scariest thing about this form of fraud is it’s simple for anybody to do.

Unlike the careful preparations needed for ATM skimmers or the precise knowledge needed in hacking an online seller’s website, it requires no technical skills or know-how.  Anyone can buy the scanner legally from an electronics store. It’s the same point-of-sale devices (POS) used by most merchants, except gets rigged to scan and copy the magnetic strip for your private information.

Often, the criminal conceals the scanner inside a glove or bag. When they have your information, they can then use this information directly at their disposal or create a counterfeit card to swipe for a future purchase.  Even many mobile phones with the Android OS have an NFC (near-field communication) reader, which can also be used to unlawfully scan cards and steal your information.

It’s been reported that, in one particularly successful incident, items to the value of $3000 (R45 000) were paid for in full. The victim realised once they noticed a significant amount missing from their bank account, days later.

Not a bad Christmas present, eh?

What Can You Do to Prevent It?

Our RFID wallets for men and women offer comprehensive security to safeguard you against these lurking threats. They keep your payment cards safely inside, shielding them from interaction with the sneaky scanner’s electromagnetic field.

There are other methods to stay safer during your weekly trips to the shops:

– Avoid using tangible bank cards and opt for secure options like Apple Pay, Zapper, and other forms of virtual card storage.
– Never disclose your personal information when prompted – in an email, to random people, or on untrusted websites.
– Keep vigilant when taking back your cards, always make sure that it’s yours.
– Report lost and stolen cards. Cancel it immediately, without leaving the ATM, if it’s gobbled up.
– Mix up your passcodes and never use personal details.
– Check your bank statements and transaction history regularly, if not every day.

When you’re consistently careful and remain vigilant, the chances are petty thieves will leave you alone. However, these comfortable and stylish RFID-blocking wallets are there for improved peace of mind.