RFID Blocking Cards
Discussion
Now that the contactless card limit has been raised to £100 a go I am a little concerned about it. I have seen ads for these RFID blocking cards.
Anyone got any experience or view on how effective if at all they are? I have googled and there is little independent reporting on how well they work which might indicative of lots of snake oil.
Appreciate peoples thoughts and experiences.
Anyone got any experience or view on how effective if at all they are? I have googled and there is little independent reporting on how well they work which might indicative of lots of snake oil.
Appreciate peoples thoughts and experiences.
I use one of these Secrid mini wallets, I keep 5 cards in the main section and then some other bits and bobs in it.
RFID protection for all cards in the main bit and prevents me from carrying a large wallet with me
https://secrid.com/en-gb/miniwallet-original-black
RFID protection for all cards in the main bit and prevents me from carrying a large wallet with me
https://secrid.com/en-gb/miniwallet-original-black
joshleb said:
I use one of these Secrid mini wallets, I keep 5 cards in the main section and then some other bits and bobs in it.
RFID protection for all cards in the main bit and prevents me from carrying a large wallet with me
https://secrid.com/en-gb/miniwallet-original-black
My initial thought with this is what happens when you sit down with it in your back pocket? Is it strong enough to sit on or does it bend and squash?RFID protection for all cards in the main bit and prevents me from carrying a large wallet with me
https://secrid.com/en-gb/miniwallet-original-black
You don't really need one. Just had a quick google and there's an article here which explains https://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/rfid-...
Essentially though, each transaction uses unique tokens, so it's not possible to 'scan' a card (or phone) and 'clone' it to then go off any make payments against your account.
The only possible 'risk' is somebody covertly using a payment terminal to swipe your card/phone (using something like an iZettle or SumUp terminal). So they'd have to get physically very close and then swipe your card as if you were paying for something.
It's not a risk worth worrying about. If you buy an RFID blocker then I guarantee you'll have 'lost' some money on that
ETA: With regards to being snake oil, the wallets/phone cases will actually block RFID, so they are technically doing what they claim. It's just that you don't need them in the first place.
Essentially though, each transaction uses unique tokens, so it's not possible to 'scan' a card (or phone) and 'clone' it to then go off any make payments against your account.
The only possible 'risk' is somebody covertly using a payment terminal to swipe your card/phone (using something like an iZettle or SumUp terminal). So they'd have to get physically very close and then swipe your card as if you were paying for something.
It's not a risk worth worrying about. If you buy an RFID blocker then I guarantee you'll have 'lost' some money on that
ETA: With regards to being snake oil, the wallets/phone cases will actually block RFID, so they are technically doing what they claim. It's just that you don't need them in the first place.
Edited by walamai on Thursday 21st October 16:35
Edited by walamai on Thursday 21st October 16:37
Edited by walamai on Thursday 21st October 16:37
I looked into this , there arent any confirmed cases of anyone in the UK ever having had this happen to them. I admit i only did a quick google but you’d expect any proven cases to be top of the results.
Then i looked into RFID cases on amazon , every review i read where soneone had tested after purchase they didnt work.
Then i looked into RFID cases on amazon , every review i read where soneone had tested after purchase they didnt work.
walamai said:
You don't really need one. Just had a quick google and there's an article here which explains https://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/rfid-...
Essentially though, each transaction uses unique tokens, so it's not possible to 'scan' a card (or phone) and 'clone' it to then go off any make payments against your account.
The only possible 'risk' is somebody covertly using a payment terminal to swipe your card/phone (using something like an iZettle or SumUp terminal). So they'd have to get physically very close and then swipe your card as if you were paying for something.
It's not a risk worth worrying about. If you buy an RFID blocker then I guarantee you'll have 'lost' some money on that
ETA: With regards to being snake oil, the wallets/phone cases will actually block RFID, so they are technically doing what they claim. It's just that you don't need them in the first place.
This all day long - ive tried using my cards while still in my regular non-RFID blocking wallet pushing them onto the terminal to authorise a payment and they won't so I dont even think someone flashing an izettle etc. next to you on a busy train etc. will work tbh.Essentially though, each transaction uses unique tokens, so it's not possible to 'scan' a card (or phone) and 'clone' it to then go off any make payments against your account.
The only possible 'risk' is somebody covertly using a payment terminal to swipe your card/phone (using something like an iZettle or SumUp terminal). So they'd have to get physically very close and then swipe your card as if you were paying for something.
It's not a risk worth worrying about. If you buy an RFID blocker then I guarantee you'll have 'lost' some money on that
ETA: With regards to being snake oil, the wallets/phone cases will actually block RFID, so they are technically doing what they claim. It's just that you don't need them in the first place.
Edited by walamai on Thursday 21st October 16:35
Edited by walamai on Thursday 21st October 16:37
Edited by walamai on Thursday 21st October 16:37
I've had one of them blocking metal wallets for about 3 years now, simply because I only carry cards, on the odd occasion I do have cash I just put it in my pocket. My metal wallet is just metal, after 3 years it still looks great. it has a black putton at bottom you pull and the cards all slide out.
One time when entering Fenerbache stadium in Turkey, the police tried to take it off me as they thought it was a lighter.
One time when entering Fenerbache stadium in Turkey, the police tried to take it off me as they thought it was a lighter.
I have got one of these sitting in my wallet, for what must be nearly two years now.
Cropped photo, you can see just how battered it is now.
Direct link, but got it cheap when the Wuntu rewards app was still going.
https://www.risetraveler.com/products/rfid-blockin...
Cropped photo, you can see just how battered it is now.
Direct link, but got it cheap when the Wuntu rewards app was still going.
https://www.risetraveler.com/products/rfid-blockin...
Zumbruk said:
He’s right - just been exploring an old card with a heat gun.
soad said:
I have got one of these sitting in my wallet, for what must be nearly two years now.
Cropped photo, you can see just how battered it is now.
Direct link, but got it cheap when the Wuntu rewards app was still going.
https://www.risetraveler.com/products/rfid-blockin...
All those testimonials about keeping people's cards safe, if you've got more than one card in your wallet you won't be able to read them anyway, I know; I've tried.Cropped photo, you can see just how battered it is now.
Direct link, but got it cheap when the Wuntu rewards app was still going.
https://www.risetraveler.com/products/rfid-blockin...
Some card machines will even display a "please present only one card" error message when you do.
Contactless cards seem pretty good at breaking by themselves, typically where the aerial joins the chip. You can often get a broken card to work by holding the chip against the card reader with your thumb and flexing the card so the aerial makes contact again and completes the circuit.
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