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Mixed results for shields

Shields or wallets marketed as RFID-blocking devices can make it more difficult for someone with an electronic reader to read your cards, but they don’t entirely block transmission of card data. When Recursion’s security experts tested 10 types of shields and wallets currently being sold to protect contactless cards, they found that none blocked the signal completely, and there was dramatic variability even among samples of the same brand. Using a different approach, Recursion’s experts created a credit-card-sized jamming device for the wallet that prevents cards from responding to any reader.

Our reporter offered her own homemade shield constructed of duct tape and lined with aluminium foil. It provided better protection than eight of the 10 commercial products, including a stainless-steel “RFID blocking” wallet selling online for about $60.

Bottom line

Until contactless-card security is improved or better protective devices are widely available, consumers can ask for cards that are not RFID-enabled, a request that at least some major card issuers say they will honor.

I used to keep my access card in my wallet as well. I loved the fact that if I had my hands full I could just back up to the reader and it would unlock the door. Then the company mandated we were the id around our necks. We protested because we worked around rotating machinery but were overruled. Stupid administrators.

Just got a couple of my debit and credit cards replaced with the chip style cards. I was thinking about getting one of those RFID wallets that supposedly block people from scanning the chips when they are within a few feet of you.

I see those "as seen on TV" products in the stores but things in that category are usually junk quality. Does anyone have an RFID wallet that they like and can you give a link to Amazon or wherever you found the thing?

Thanks in advance,
Rob

Many chip cards today do not use RFID. They use another technology called EMV, which stands for Europay, MasterCard and Visa. You should check which technology your cards are using because they are likely not using RFID.

Just got a couple of my debit and credit cards replaced with the chip style cards. I was thinking about getting one of those RFID wallets that supposedly block people from scanning the chips when they are within a few feet of you.

I see those "as seen on TV" products in the stores but things in that category are usually junk quality. Does anyone have an RFID wallet that they like and can you give a link to Amazon or wherever you found the thing?

Thanks in advance,
Rob

Just got a couple of my debit and credit cards replaced with the chip style cards. I was thinking about getting one of those RFID wallets that supposedly block people from scanning the chips when they are within a few feet of you.

I see those "as seen on TV" products in the stores but things in that category are usually junk quality. Does anyone have an RFID wallet that they like and can you give a link to Amazon or wherever you found the thing?

Thanks in advance,
Rob

Okay, now I'm reading on some reviews that there are a couple different types of chip credit cards, one that is more of an RF chip that does act like a proximity device and can be read at a distance, and another newer type that needs nearly direct contact to work properly. People are claiming that the latter, near direct contact, type were created and are now being used on the newest cards because of the issues with the RF style chips. And if that is the case, then one of these sleeves would not be required. I wonder how the hell we as consumers are supposed to know this stuff?