Cards and passports are at an even greater risk

People are using plastic cards for so many uses, identity theft is bound to happen.

Credit and debit cards are now using new technology called Radio Frequency Identification. RFID uses small chips embedded in the cards to transmit information of an object or person using radio waves.

The danger lies in the fact a thief does not even need to touch the card. By using a card scanner and blending in with a crowd, a thief can receive all the necessary information.

“It is fairly new technology for credit cards,” said Kevin Flynn, a Worthington, Minnesota detective. “And now people have developed the scanners that can read the cards through a wallet or purse.”

It is estimated that more than 100 million credit cards contain RFID technology. A radio wave signal on the card is how you can tell if it uses RFID. Plastic cards are not the only ones at risk. Passports also use the technology. The easiest solutions to protect your cards and passports are card holders and sleeves that block the card scanner.

Related ID News:

1. RFID chips offer enhanced security
2. Biometric passports coming next year
3. RFID Application for Subways Systems in the Works
4. Electronic ID cards, passports dominated by Asian market
5. Canada catching up to G8 with electronic passports

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 19th, 2011 at 11:16 am and is filed under Badge Holders News, Plastic Cards News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.