Identifying Symbols on RFID-Enabled Cards

You may not have been aware of this, but it is highly probable that one or more of the cards you’re carrying contains a small microchip with a radio antenna that can easily transmit personally-identifiable information about you (such as your name, age, address, and bank account details) from your cards, even when you’re not in front of a credit card terminal. These microchips are found in credit cards, debit cards, and more recently, in some government-issued IdsSuch as drivers license and pasports. The underlying technology is called RFID (Radio Frequency Identification).

A number of RFID-enabled cards (also commonly known as “contactless” cards) have a symbol on them comprised of four curved lines. According to the publication Nilson Report, in the U.S., there are currently 35 million RFID credit cards in the hands of consumers. Visa uses the “payWave” logo to identify their contactless cards, while MasterCard’s version is called “PayPass”. Chase bank and American Express’ variations are called “Blink” and “ExpressPay”, respectively.

Contactless cards are being promoted as more durable, simple to use, and convenient. However, they often leave out the fact that they are susceptible to being scanned without even leaving your wallet. The information siphoned from your card by an RFID card reader is sufficient to create an exact copy of your card which may be used to make illicit purchases. This was recently demonstrated by a security research and consulting company in New York City, Recursion Ventures.

Easy, Affordable Access to RFID Scanners

Unfortunately, the equipment required for this kind of theft is relatively cheap and easily accessible to cyber thieves. RFID card readers can be purchased on the Internet for under $100; once hooked up to a laptop, they can be immediately programmed to store intercepted credit/debit card information. In a public demonstration a hacker used a card scanner on a Chase debit card, and card information, such as the bank account number and expiration date, quickly appeared on his computer screen. Two more cards yielded the same type of data.

Even from a distance as far as 30 feet, account data can be pulled from a card, even when it is inside a wallet, purse, or pocket. From data skimmed off a credit card a copy can be created. It is alarming how easy it is to used it to make a purchase that can be successfully processed.

RFID Card Protection

There are a number of RFID-shielding devices that will make it difficult for someone with a card reader to pull information from your cards, such as a compact RFID credit card case that helps block the transmission of data to scanners.They are usually made of Aluminum as it will interfere with radio wave transmissions, thus blocking RFID scanning. There are also products in the form of a thin hard case constructed from leather and an RFID-blocking material. RFID-blocking purse organizers have RFID-shielding technology woven into the organizer itself; there is a special layer of shielding material, a metallic weave known as the “Faraday Cage”. It is one of the most effective materials used to block out radio waves from reaching your cards. More fashion-friendly solutions include the RFID credit card cases or holders that tend to be lighter, more compact in design, and come in a wide selection of colors and different styles.