Could Tinfoil Be Necessary Security To Protect Credit Card Identity?

Whether we are processing cheques with our smartphones or tapping our credit cards without need of a pin or signature, technology brings convenience to our daily activities. And with the looming fear of credit card fraud across Canada we need to find ways to protect ourselves from electronic pickpocketing.   

Radio Frequency Identification Technology (RFID) allows us to use our credit cards to make quick purchases through the process of 'tap and go'. But this type of convenience comes with a cost. Digital pickpockets can utilize a radio frequency scanner or a smartphone app in order to steal our credit card number, the expiry date, and our identity.     

However, there are a few ways you can protect your credit card from radio frequency scanners.

Here are 3 ways to protect against electronic pickpocketing:

1.  Invest in a specially designed wallet or protective sleeve that utilizes a thin metalized nylon capable of blocking radio frequencies, also known as RFID blocking wallets. 

2. Wrap your credit cards in tinfoil. No, we're not warding off aliens from reading our minds. Tinfoil is capable of blocking the radio frequencies that will attempt to read and steal information from our credit card.

3. Have two or more cards with RFID chips in your wallet or purse. Double information can confuse a scanner and the cards information could cancel out.   

It is important to consider contacting your credit card provider to find out their policies on RFID theft, and what the company can do to help protect your information. Ironic that as technology makes our lives easier – it also exposes us to more danger.