It’s always fun to go traveling…until it’s not. You see, one of the worst things that can happen to you during a trip is having your identity and financial information taken. In this modern world, thieves have gotten an upgrade too. They don’t need to physically take your wallet anymore. All they need to do is to scan the RFID information from your credit card or passport and they’re all set. Yikes.
Fortunately, there are RFID wallets that can efficiently prevent RFID skimming and keep your information safe even from the most advanced scanners and that’s exactly what we are going to talk about in this article.
RFID Wallets
So, what is an RFID wallet, anyway? RFID, first, means radio frequency identification. In a nutshell, it is a technology used in order to store and communicate information through electromagnetic fields and it is currently being used in our credit cards, passport, driver’s license, and other IDs. This makes it very convenient to transfer information with a scanner.
The downside is, hackers can get into your info as well, without you even knowing that you’ve been robbed already. This is the reason why we always recommend using RFID wallets, especially when traveling. They are specifically designed to block these frequencies and keep this info safe. There are different types of RFID wallets. Here they are:
- Money Clip. this is the perfect choice for minimalists out there who are looking for a slim addition to their everyday-carry.
- Bifold. For those who need a little bit more space but still want to keep their belongings streamlined, then the bifold RFID wallet is the option for you. It’s the perfect balance between minimalism and storage. This is the reason why it is also one of the most popular options out there.
- Trifold. If there’s no way for you to trim down your cards and IDs to a bare minimum and you simply need more wallet space, then you will definitely find getting a trifold convenient.
- Tyvek Wallet. Finally, these are wallets made of the eco-friendly material, Tyvek. It feels like paper, but it is actually a water-resistant and durable fabric. It comes in different designs and patterns making it perfect for those who are looking for a more interesting look aside from the usual neutral and achromatic colors of leather.
How Do RFID Wallets Work?
Anyway, now that we know what RFID is and what RFID wallets are, let’s now move on to talk about how they work. RFID wallets use materials, such as certain metals, that are known to bend the waves being sent out by RFID readers preventing them from contacting your cards inside the wallet in the first place.
The Advantages of Using an RFID Wallet
Getting an RFID wallet offers a lot of advantages. Here are some of them:
Added Security
First, there’s no denying that getting an RFID wallet provides added security. It’s the main reason why these wallets were created in the first place.
Tech Savvy
Another reason why you’d want to get an RFID wallet is that most of them have other built-in features as well. In fact, it’s safe to say that they are “smarter” than the average wallet. Some models have UV lights, motion sensors, and more.
Peace of Mind
Finally, we know that there are naysayers out there, saying that there really is no need to get an RFID-blocking wallet in the first place since most of our cards and readers are already encrypted to prevent skimming.
Yes, we believe that companies and government agencies are doing everything they can in order to make the world a better and safer place each day, but this doesn’t make RFID skimming impossible. It simply makes it less frequent.
For us, there’s nothing bad in getting that extra element of protection especially if it’s going to give you some peace of mind.
Conclusion
RFID wallets are getting more and more popular these days, and for good reason. That’s because they give our credit cards and IDs an extra layer of protection against hacking and identity theft. We definitely recommend it to those who enjoy traveling. After all, you can never tell what kind of people you’ll meet out there. In the end, though, the choice to get one or not will still boil down to your personal needs and preferences. Do you think an RFID wallet is an essential travel gear or is it just a fad?
