Danger Will Robinson…

As Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) becomes more prevalent, more and more scammers are out there trying to (and getting) information from those things we carry that have RFID chips in them.  

This video shows you CAN get info from credit cards in your wallet (ALL of the cards).  Granted they do have to get fairly close to you to do it, but how often are you in crowded situations?  At the mall, on the subway/Metro, in the elevator???


So far, I’ve been lucky to be able to stave this off by requesting NOT to have RFID embedded in my cards when I get updated ones.    A ‘simple’ fix is to put a piece of aluminium foil in your wallet or pocketbook like you would a dollar bill (making sure it wraps around the cards).  If you have one of those wallets with a ‘secret’ compartment, just put the aluminium foil in there like it’s money- Who knows, you might actually SAVE your money…

And you ‘should’ be checking your credit card statements every month to make sure there aren’t any ‘stray’ charges… You DO that don’t you???

h/t JP

Comments

Danger Will Robinson… — 18 Comments

  1. ++++++ on checking the statements.

    Earlier this year I had three cards compromised; turned out to be a local retailer.

    Anyway, once a week I take a look.

  2. There are some quite nice wallets out there – not just the brushed stainless steal thread types but leather ones with blocking inserts that block RFID.

    Highly recommended if you have a card with RFID.

  3. Yep, I’m VERY familiar with this kind of stuff.

    My CC company is through my Credit Union, and they’re VERY aggressive about monitoring my card. They used to block it if they thought something fishy was going on, and they’d *usually* call me right before it got blocked to ask about some charges they thought were unusual.

    Last month I was checking my online statement, and I noticed another CC had been issued.

    I immediately went to Red Alert and called them. Turns out *they* issued the new card, transferred the balance, and continued to watch the old card in case anything funny showed up. The reason they did this was because I made a Kickstart donation that had the actual charge deferred until the goal was met. They thought it highly unusual, and issued the new card. The guy at the Card Service Center and I worked it out so I got the new card a day later, and then after the Kickstart donation was processed, they killed the old card.

    Out of all the times they intervened, there was only ONE truly fraudulent transaction at an Old Navy store in Ohio, and they caught it immediately. They let the charge go through, and went after the person who had used the compromised card, and issued me a new card and sent it overnight.

    I really can’t complain about any ‘inconvenience’ this has caused me, as I’ve always been able to get a hold of someone who gave me a satisfactory explanation.

    I guess that’s one of the advantages of having the card with a Credit Union instead of a bank.

  4. The only chipped cards I have in my wallet are USGOV issued, and I keep them in those foil-lined pouches that they come with.

    I’m not fond of the tech for the very reason you stated. The readers can be countered by strong encryption, but nobody seems to want to use that in the RFID chips.

  5. I don’t read my Statements.

    The Missus, however goes over them with a Fine-tooth comb.

    And I always catch Hell when she says “What were you buying at the Gun Store last week?” ; )

    Which brings up another point. Say you go to Ye Olde Gunnie Shoppe, and buy a SCAR 17H. Naturally, you probably put it on the Plastic. Being a Good Citizen, the NICS come back Clean, the Records are Shredded and you head out the Door.

    One Problem. The Federales do have the right to check out all Financial Transactions involving Credit Cards. It’s part of some Terrorist “Security Theater.” So if they want to know who owns what, all they have to do access the Gun Stores Credit Card Sales, and match them to the Card Holder. So they know that John Doe spent $3,000 at the Store on ONE Item, and that said Item just so happens to be a SCAR.

    Don’r believe me? Take a look at the Gas Pump Receipt whenever you fill up the Tank. See your name printed out? Same Principle.

    Now, we all know that the BATFE obeys the Law as well as Al-Queda, so don’t be surprised that there’s Software in their HQ. If they ever get their Marching Orders to seize all those “Evil Assault Rifles”, they just hit the “Run” Button, and can come straight to your Home to get your SCAR.

    All because of Visa, Discover, MasterCard, etc.

    Moral of the Story? Pay Cash.

  6. That’s why my passport card is in it’s foil pounch, and the badge holder for my CAC card is an RFID blocking sheath.

  7. We always insist on non-RFID debit cards when the old ones expire, but I’d prefer cash just the same.

    I also note that Anchorage has just installed parking meters (downtown only) with debit card readers.

  8. That is good information…tinfoil in my wallet instead of wearing a tinfoil hat (don’t know who is scanning what…I think it’s the CIA in conjunction with the NSA).

  9. I don’t carry my CC with me. I never use them except for hotels, airlines etc,

    Unless I travel…where one is susceptible to these kinds of shenanigans.

    Good info as always.

  10. PH- Don’t turn your back on ’em… Just sayin…

    Tango- True!

    DT- Good idea!

    Aaron- I didn’t realize that, thanks!

    drjim- So is mine. And yes, credit unions DO seem more proactive!

    LL- Same here, and re heavy encryption, it’s HARD to do and get readers to work correctly…

    Les- Concur with all, and yes I do! 🙂

    WSF- I don’t have the wallet ‘yet’…

    Geodkyt- Concur!

    eia/CP- Or both… 🙂

    Rev- Yep, those will get frauded sooner rather than later…

    Agirl- That’s what TSM is for, right??? 😛

  11. Aluminum foil is a wonderful thing whether for RFID or a hat … and eventually they’ll figure out how to read through it too (sigh)