Are Your Credit/Debit Cards Safe…Even In Your Wallets on Your Person?

Thrifty Thinking

My dad forwarded me a fascinating link from WTHR 13 questioning the safety of credit and debit cards.  He sent it just after I had a friend get back from a trip and told me how someone ripped off her credit card information all without her knowledge since the cards were in her possession the entire time.  Isn’t that scary?

How did they do it, you might ask?  They used Radio Frequency Identification, also known as RFID.  It’s literally electronic pickpocketing you without even toughing you.  Crazy stuff.   RFID uses the same technology that allows you to just wave your card at a store to pay.

You can watch the video here (if it’s not showing, go here):

Now people can easily go on-line and buy credit card reader that can read your cards without even getting inside your wallet.  With this instrument they can transfer your credit card information, numbers, and expiration dates to clone the card.  They can even transfer the information to a hotel room key and purchase items with it.   Insane!

Are your credit cards safe?  What can you do?  Do the following:

• Watch this link so you can identify what RFID symbol you need to check.
• Check your debit and credit cards to see if they have a Radio Frequency ID, Pay Pass, Pay Wave, or Blink sign.
• Contact your card company and request a card without the RFID.
• Cover your cards with aluminum foil or a protective sleeve.
• Forward this so everyone knows and can be protected.

I checked my cards, and they don’t have the RFID, but I will check my cards as new ones come to us.  Technology can be so amazing, and we can do much good with it.  It’s a crying shame when people use it for evil!  So protect yourself, be a good steward of what God has entrusted to you, and check out your debit and credit cards.

We would love to hear from you!  Feel free to comment.  Get free e-mail updates by subscribing here.  Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. “Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful”  (1 Corinthians 4:2 ESV).  Thanks for visiting!

Sonja

Shared @ Saturday Show & Tell, Seasonal Inspiration, Strut Your Stuff, Five on Friday, Weekend Whatever, Frugal Friday, Simple Lives Thursday, Chic & Crafty, Thrifty Thursday, Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways, Tiny Tip Tuesday, One Project @ a Time, Welcome Home.