Electronic Pickpocketing

How to Prevent RFID Pickpocketing

As many complaints as we hear from credit card holders about having to pay too many fees on their credit cards, or how they wish they had never completed that credit card application, credit cards are here to stay. Despite of the current debt crisis that is gripping the world and its citizens, a world without credit cards likely. The benefit of having a credit card to charge your purchases speaks for itself. If you question this, just ask the millions of Americans who aren’t eligible for an unsecured credit card. Simply ask the millions of people whose hope of a normal life lies in applying for and being approved for prepaid credit cards.  

The ease and convenience of credit cards and the reliance of the civilized world on these credit cards, has caused an increase in criminals trying to steal our information. In this wired world, these credit cards offer a lot of benefits to the masses. As a result, we as a whole have to remain vigilant against credit card theft and identity theft. There are those who strive to work hard and make an honest living, and then there are those who try to steal from those who are trying to make an honest living. If you have a credit card or debit card, you’ve probably heard a lot either online or from traditional media about skimming. 

You may have heard stories about people whose credit card or debit information were stolen through high-tech or low-tech methods and the accounts robbed. We have been warned about not using ATMs in certain locations that may be more prone to credit card or debit card skimming mechanisms. As society wises up to the tactics utilized by crooks to try to steal our identity, criminals reinvent themselves and find new and more innovative methods to rob up. As a result, there is a new and extremely high tech method to steal your credit card and debit card information. This new high-tech method is called RFID pickpocketing. 

What is RFID pickpocketing? It is a way that criminals can steal your credit card or debit card information simply by walking by you. It is also known as high-tech hijacking. Thieves are now able to steal your credit card information without laying a finger on your wallet. It all centers on Radio Frequency Identification Technology. It’s supposed to make paying for things easier. You’ll find it in everything from your passport to your credit cards as well as your debit cards. It is leaving over 140 million people at risk for electronic pickpocketing. 

There was a special report on News 3 showing how easy a stranger can walk by you with a special RFID technology item and in no time they can have your credit card information without even touching your wallet. It is kind of scary how high-tech crime is becoming. Electronic pickpocketing is going to be the method of choice for criminals in the future. Why should they bother to steal your wallet or purse when they can inconspicuously get your information without you even having the slightest clue? 

In case you weren’t aware, all US passports issued since 2006 have RFID technology implanted in them. Imagine what a criminal who is able to steal your passport information, debit card or check card information and your credit card information. Imagine what they could do with this information. The technology that makes it possible to steal your information is available online for around $100. In the wrong hands no one is safe from this technology. If a criminal went into a large crowd, they can steal untold information from an untold number of people, all without the victim having the slightest idea of what has happened to them.

What can you as a consumer do to combat this? How can you protect your credit card and debit card information from this new and invasive identity threat possibility? Checks Unlimited has come out with a line of wallets and accessories that feature specialized RFID blocking materials. The new SecureMyID products from Checks Unlimited will help stop scanners from accessing credit card information. SecureMyID™ Wallets and Accessories