RFID-blocking purses: Hype or a must-have?

Stealing your credit card details without even touching your wallet is a real possibility! RFID skimming allows burglars to do it without you even realizing it. Sounds scary, right? It might sound straight out of some spy movie but RFID-blocking purses are gaining immense popularity in the current times due to the above phenomenon. Let’s understand whether you actually need one of these purses or it’s just a marketing gimmick!

What is it with RFID?

Wondering what RFID is? Well, Radio Frequency Identification, commonly RFID is the technology, which allows quick credit and debit scans for easy transactions without any kind of contact. With the ease of transactions, comes potential risks aka RFID skimming.

Hackers and burglars can read the details of your card by just being close to your wallet, using the right tools. So, what is the solution? RFID-blocking purses! These purses claim to block these signals and help you maintain the privacy of your card details. However, the question is whether RFID skimming is an actual threat or not.

Are you actually at risk?

Not everyone is at a high-risk of RFID skimming and that’s a real fact! Let’s go through a few important factors here.

If you are having a card that does not support contactless transactions, you are at no risk of RFID skimming. Always check whether your

card has that contactless transaction symbol, the three curved lines of not.

Do you keep your purse in your deep pocket or in your bag? If so, you are at a lower risk of RFID skimming. Fraudsters won’t be able to come close enough to your card to scan anything.

A person who frequently travels to crowded areas is at a greater risk of being caught up in an RFID-skimming fraud. In such cases, the use of an RFID-blocking purse might be a beneficial choice.

How do these purses work?

RFID skimming works with the help of electromagnetic signals, which are blocked by these cards. In RFID-blocking purses, a special layer of metallic materials is added, which helps in blocking the electromagnetic signals and prevents the RFID scanners from reading your card details.

Have you ever seen a Faraday cage? These wallets are like Faraday cages, which cuts off any kind of wireless communication between the card and potential hackers. They offer an additional layer of protection from electronic frauds, which is becoming quite common in the current times!

Do RFID-blocking purses actually work?

Are you confused about whether RFID-blocking purses actually work? Technically, they do! You can protect the details of your contactless cards using these wallets from potential hackers. However, one fact is for sure, RFID skimming is not as common as some companies project it to be.

If hackers want to do anything useful with your card details, they need to deal with encryption and other features that are installed by credit card companies. For making an online purchase, a fraudster has to have all the details, but skimming allows hackers get only partial information. This is not enough for making any kind of online purchase.

Nevertheless, if you want peace of mind and value extra protection, this is the perfect wallet that you should purchase.

Who should consider these purses?

RFID-blocking purses might seem to be all the buzz but not everyone is in need of one. Frequent travelers who go to crowded places frequently are more vulnerable to such activities and must possess one such purse.

Besides, city commuters and tech-conscious individuals can also purchase an RFID-blocking card. As a city commuter who is taking public transport, the chances are you are often in close quarters with strangers, needing an additional layer of protection. As a tech-enthusiast, staying protected is not a bad option as well!

Are you having multiple contactless cards? Then these purses are perfect for you! Too many of these cards can sometimes interfere with each other. This causes issues in transactions, which can be eliminated with the help of these purses. Stay organized and protected with these purses.

What to look for in such a purse?

If you are convinced that you need an RFID-blocking purse, some things that you must consider while purchasing one are as given here.

Material quality is an essential determinant of the longevity and durability of your purse. These purses generally have a higher cost and selecting a high-quality synthetic leather material can be a beneficial decision.

Besides, look for purses that have enough compartments to store a range of things. Compartments that allow you to store cash, card and coins separately allows you to stay stylish and compact as well.

Check the reviews of the wallet you are purchasing and test the capabilities of blocking RFID skimming. It is essential to be sure before making a purchase.

A purse with a wide range of protection but filled with impracticality is not a worthy buy. Will you purchase a card that offers little ease of use? No, right? Always check ease of use before purchasing.

DIY alternatives

There are certain DIY solutions that you can adopt, if you don’t want to spend on RFID-blocking purses. Create a makeshift RFID blocker by wrapping all your cards in aluminum foil. It may not be stylish, but it actually works.

Slim card protectors are available and can be placed inside any wallet or purse. Use these to make RFID-blocking sleeves that helps you in protecting your cards.

Using a metal case is another beneficial way of protecting your cards. These metal cardholders are known to naturally block RFID signals and protect your cards.

Would you like these options or purchase an RFID-blocking purse? If you are more into stylish options, purchasing one is the perfect option for you.

Final verdict

Whether you actually need an RFID-blocking purse depends on certain key considerations. If you are someone who frequently goes to places that are overcrowded and want an extra layer of protection these cards are just for you. However, if your contactless cards are rarely used or you keep them safely in your inside pockets or bags, these cards might be a waste of resources. The actual risk of RFID theft is relatively low, but if you want peace of mind, you can purchase a purse for yourself. So, are you getting one for yourself?