With credit card fraud a real concern and becoming more widespread, many people are now looking at more and more sophisticated and advanced ways of protecting themselves and their loved ones against this kind of global fraud.

According to the Nilson Report, worldwide global card fraud is set to exceed $35 Billion in 2020.

Unfortunately, there are a variety of ways in which thieves can access your card information. The most frightening aspect of card fraud these days is that your card doesn’t literally have to be stolen out of your purse or bag. Thieves are now using wireless methods to access your accounts and card details.

Let’s take a look below at an advanced method using RFID Theft Protection, which can help you to keep your card details and finances safe and sound.

You may be wondering what this kind of protection entails and how it can help guard against credit card fraud, so let’s start by exploring what exactly RFID is.

What is RFID and What Does it Stand For? RFID is an advanced technology known as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). It is designed to identify objects, animals and even humans. It works by locating and tracking using radio frequency signals.

RFID, in fact, is not exactly new technology! Its interesting history can be traced right back to World War II when the British used it to identify friendly aircraft. Over the years, it has been developed to now allow us to use it in a wide range of everyday applications.

The British Military attached a transmitter on each British plane and when it received signals from radar stations on the ground, it began broadcasting a signal back that clearly identified the particular aircraft as a friendly one.

The principles of RFID are basically the same as this concept. A signal is sent to a transponder, which wakes up and either reflects back a signal or broadcasts a signal. There’s an RFID fitted to just about every credit and debit card you’re likely to come across in the form of a chip.

Now we’ve updated you on exactly what RFID is and what the abbreviations stand for, let’s take a closer look at the kind of credit card theft this type of technology can provide protection against.

What is RFID Skimming Theft?

Your credit card is most likely fitted with an RFID chip to enable you to swipe your card and scan it rather than being put into a machine whilst you type your PIN number in. Your passport or drivers license may also be fitted with one.

The reason these chips were added was to increase security and be more convenient. For instance instead of large queues in grocery stores whilst you type in your details, your card can be quickly and easily scanned. Businesses have used them for years to manage shipments and inventory and also used in access badges to security reasons.

These RFID chips or tags can be read from several feet away which is the way in which a thief is able to steal your credit card details and also potentially your personal details on items such as your passport or driving license super easily – merely by walking past you.

This kind of identity and credit card theft is commonly referred to as ‘skimming’. Anyone with a portable reader can steal or ‘skim’ personal information from RFID cards and IDs by being within range of your cards.

So now you perhaps have a better understanding of how thieves are able to steal your personal and credit card details, let’s look into the ways in which RFID technology can protect you.

How Does RFID Protection Work?

There are many different kinds of products which can prove a protective barrier between you and any potential theft such as wallets and cardholders. Here at Allett, we specialize in providing high-quality products which can block the signal to your personal identity information. Our RFID signal blocking wallets have a layer of metal mesh within the outer material of the wallet, to protect you against skimming theft.

Radio waves are fairly easy to interrupt and block which is how an RFID-blocking wallet works. They encase your credit cards in a material that interferes with radio waves. If the wallet is designed and constructed as a Faraday cage, it will block all electromagnetic fields and prevent the communication between your cards and RFID scanners, protecting your personal details.

See the video below showing how RFID protection works. The video was produced by David Carta with Telaeris, a specialist in RFID technology.

Watch a Video Demonstration of RFID technology at work.

Now we have looked at how RFID blocking wallets actually work and how we can help protect you and your loved ones from financial fraud, let’s take a look at why we are the Number One provider of superb quality wallets.

Why Do I Need To Use Allett RFID Anti-Theft Wallets?

Any kind of metal can act as a blocking agent for RFID signals. At its most basic, aluminum foil placed around your passports, driving licenses and credit card may provide protection. There are methods online where you can research how to make your own using duct tape. However, creating your own protection using household objects, is not foolproof, convenient and definitely not an attractive method of protecting your cards and personal details.

RFID blocking sleeves are also an available product on the market. However, they can be very thick and add unnecessary bulk to your wallet. They can also look a little ugly if they don’t match the design of your wallet. It is also a fairly widely held belief that wallets do not provide enough protection.

Why Allett Can Help Protect You Against Credit Card Fraud

We specialize in making the World’s Thinnest Wallets and have our headquarters in San Diego, California. We are enormously proud of our family company and have been providing excellent quality, beautiful wallets since 1995. Our wallets contain the all-important RFID blocking theft protection as a feature in our wallets.

The quality of some anti-theft products on the market are not always what you would expect, so let’s take a look below at the benefits of using our products.

What Are the Benefits of Using Allett RFID Wallets?

Allett RFID wallets are made with a thin liner made of nylon dipped in a copper and nickel solution.
The multi-metalized fabric is corrosion and wear-resistant.
Effectively blocking signals of up to 3000 MHz provides safety even if someone puts their scanner directly on your wallet and give exceptional near and far range protection
The RFID liner is slim and nearly undetectable
A range of beautiful designs

Now that you’ve seen some of the benefits of using our RFID blocking theft protection, you may be wondering whether you really need to buy them. Read on to find out.

It’s certainly not a requirement to own products with such blocking devices, however, using an Allett wallet is a stylish and elegant solution.

Conclusion

We hope you have enjoyed our article which gives the background to RFID, how it can be used by thieves to skim your personal credit card and other personal document details.

Don’t forget to check out our store to discover a range of beautiful designs of RFID anti-theft wallets, made with quality materials which will bring you stylish and effective protection. If you have any questions concerning any of the topics within this article, get in touch with one of our friendly team and we’ll be more than happy to help.