What is RFID?

What is RFID?
RFID, Radio Frequency Identification, is the technology that lets you simply wave your credit or identification card, passport or license in front of a nearby scanner instead of having to slide the magnetic stripe through it.  You may have already seen these scanners at local stores labeled as "pay pass" "express pay" etc...


How does it work exactally?
The electronic reader sends a signal which is received by an antenna embedded into the card, which is connected to the card’s RFID or Secure chip, thus activating it. Unfortunately, theives with minimal technical skills and electonics bought off the internet can construct their own "remote reader" or build an Iphone or Android app that uses their cellphone or tablet.
These devices can steal your private financial information quickly and silently.  All a theif needs to do is get close to you, wallet or purse using their hidden card reader!  Some technology allows criminals to use long range readers so they do not need to be near you.

Why do you need RFID Protection Sleeves?
More than 500 million credit card, enhanced drive's licenses, passports and most identification cards(e.g employee, mi-fare, bus passes, etc...) now have RFID technology embedded into them.
Since 2006, all US Passports issued  have implemented RFID chip technology. The chip typically contains all the data that is on the first page including your photo. US states or countries that typically border another country have seen a sharp increase in implementing long range RFID technology in driver's licenses and other government issued ID's.  These boder states and countries have been implementing radio wave communication towers to track people who cross borders

Example Cards and Passports that have RFID & Secure Chips

Debit or Credit Card
MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover. All have begun shipping cards that have contactless smart-card systems.

U.S. Passports and U.S. Passport Cards
Federal mandate, as of October 26, 2006, all U.S. passports and passport cards are equipped with contactless chips.

US Permanent Resident (green) Card
Federal mandate, as of October 26, 2006, all US Permanent Resident Green Cards are equipped with contactless chips.

TWIC Card
The Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) contains an RFID chip. Personal information including fingerprint templates can be read from the RFID chip.

Employer ID/Proximity Card
Many companies now have contactless access cards for entry into secure buildings and gates as well as for accessing secure computer systems.

 Enhanced Driver’s License
Many states are beginning to issue enhanced driver’s licenses with integrated long range RFID chips. Our Secure Sleeve products will block these licenses from being read at a distance.

Government Employee PIV Card
Federal mandate HSPD-12, all government agencies are required to start issuing standard cards with a contactless interface as of October 26, 2006.

Note: Not all identification cards and passports are made the same or use the same radio frequency.  Please be sure to review our Technical Specifications to see which radio frequencies our products can shield from. 

How to tell if your Credit Card or Passport contains a RFID or Secure chip?

Typically you will know if your Credit Card or Identification card has RFID chips if there is a wireless logo on the front or back. Some cards, typically for international, will have a gold chip on the front.  This is a "secure" chip that works in conjunction with the RFID chip.  Both can be read remotely with the right technology.
Another way you know if an identification card has RFID is if you need to tap the card over a reader.  This is typically seen for toll roads, mi-fare, bus fare, subway passes, etc...

But I don't see a wireless logo?
Just becasue there is not a logo does not mean your card has RFID chips.  Unfortunately most countries have not agreed to a formal regulation and standard for RFID chips for use in financial payment cards. If your not sure, call your issuing financial institution and ask if your card has RFID technology.  If they cannot answer or are not sure themselves, don't take a chance, protect your cards with our protection sleeves to ensure that you do not fall victim to identity theft.

The following are examples of common ways to reconize RFID or Secure chip technology: