topic RFID protection for new cards?????? Question in Community Chat

RFID protection for new cards?????? Question

bonnielu — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 16:21:19 GMT

Lots of sales for RFIF protection on all shopping channels. And my question is: My new cards have the chip that goes into a slot and apparently rotates codes. It does not scan and all stores at this point are working on being updated.

Question: Does anyone need the RFID protection with these new cards. Not sure and I cannot seem to get an answer.

Can someone walk next to me and get my information if I carry the cards with the new chip???

Re: RFID protection for new cards?????? Question

ChynnaBlue — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 16:30:02 GMT

No. The cards with the gold chip on top are NOT Radio Frequency (RF from RFID) and do not emit a signal that can be scanned without making contact.

Re: RFID protection for new cards?????? Question

KingstonsMom — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 16:34:43 GMT

@ChynnaBlue wrote:
No. The cards with the gold chip on top are NOT Radio Frequency (RF from RFID) and do not emit a signal that can be scanned without making contact.

@ChynnaBlue

As usual, we can always count on Chynna to be a wealth of information (seriously)!

I've been wondering the same thing and couldn't find much online about it.

Thanks Chynna!

Re: RFID protection for new cards?????? Question

jonbon — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 16:42:37 GMT

Here is a recent article someone sent to me about this.

Re: RFID protection for new cards?????? Question

ChynnaBlue — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 16:44:11 GMT

Happy to help, @KingstonsMom.

Here are some good articles about the RFID cards vs the EMV/Chip-and-PIN cards, which are the ones with the visible chip on top.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/the-basics-of-chip-and-pin-credit-cards/2013/05/16/9e8bdf9a-a13f-11e2-be47-b44febada3a8_story.html

https://www.heartlandpaymentsystems.com/blog/what-the-heck-is-this-computer-chip-doing-in-my-credit-card/

http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/emv-faq-chip-cards-answers-1264.php

Re: RFID protection for new cards?????? Question

Nightowlz — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 17:07:05 GMT

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought the RFID cards have the symbol on the card below on them. I have also seen the symbol on the back of cards.

My credit union uses EMV chip cards like below.

Re: RFID protection for new cards?????? Question

ChynnaBlue — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 18:26:24 GMT

@Nightowlz wrote:
Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought the RFID cards have the symbol on the card below on them. I have also seen the symbol on the back of cards.

My credit union uses EMV chip cards like below.

RFID cards may or may not have that symbol. They may have a much smaller version of it in the back or something else. Even though many stores I've been in for the last 10 years has had a pad that allows the wave/tap of an RFID card, RFID cards in the US have been very rare. I've never actually had an RFID card and have never even seen one in person.

Here's some info to help identify an RFID card:

Identifying Signs for RFID Chips

While some credit cards, such as certain versions of the American Express Blue Card, actually have a visible RFID chip, most do not. Many are marked with the RFID signal, which consists of four nested curved lines, much like the symbol for Wi-Fi wireless networking. Others will have a logo or text marking bearing the words "PayPass," "Blink," "payWave" or "ExpressPay."

Source: http://science.opposingviews.com/there-rfid-credit-card-1967.html

Re: RFID protection for new cards?????? Question

Nightowlz — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 18:39:32 GMT

@ChynnaBlue wrote:
@Nightowlz wrote:
Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought the RFID cards have the symbol on the card below on them. I have also seen the symbol on the back of cards.

My credit union uses EMV chip cards like below.

RFID cards may or may not have that symbol. They may have a much smaller version of it in the back or something else. Even though many stores I've been in for the last 10 years has had a pad that allows the wave/tap of an RFID card, RFID cards in the US have been very rare. I've never actually had an RFID card and have never even seen one in person.

Here's some info to help identify an RFID card:

Identifying Signs for RFID Chips
While some credit cards, such as certain versions of the American Express Blue Card, actually have a visible RFID chip, most do not. Many are marked with the RFID signal, which consists of four nested curved lines, much like the symbol for Wi-Fi wireless networking. Others will have a logo or text marking bearing the words "PayPass," "Blink," "payWave" or "ExpressPay."

Source: http://science.opposingviews.com/there-rfid-credit-card-1967.html

I have never seen one either. My sister has anxiety over this. I told her to look for a symbol on the card or call the bank & ask them. She thinks she needs an rfid wallet or other type protection. I know it's a visa card through a credit union so it's probably got an emv chip like mine. Q & so many others selling all kinds of rfid wallets, sleeves, etc & people don't even need them. I bought a clutch that has it but did not buy it for that. I bought it to use because I liked it. I hate carrying a handbag.

Re: RFID protection for new cards?????? Question

bonnielu — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 18:41:37 GMT

Thanks, I see so many vendors (online or on tv) trying to sell RFID protection wallet, sleeves, etc. I just felt perhaps with the newer chip technology I would not need to buy any ( I do have one wallet).

Re: RFID protection for new cards?????? Question

esmeraldagooch — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 19:01:22 GMT

I was very excited to get a new card from the bank with the RFID chips in them. My old credit card had been a possible victim of fraud and BofA had replaced it with a new card. Unfortunatly, BofA was still afraid of my new number being used for some reason and refused my use of the new card so I put it away.

Out comes my WF CC. Well, I went to pay my WF card which also has one of these RFID chips in it and low an behold there was an unauthourised $530.00 charge to Comcast in Chicago that I didn't charge. Now that card has been shut down and I have another new CC.

Point being? These chips do nothing to stop people from hacking your accounts.

Re: RFID protection for new cards?????? Question

ValuSkr — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 19:07:00 GMT

I think QVC - and others - lead people to believe all chip cards need RFID protection. In fact, this isn't true. You need protection only if you have a "contactless card:" it has a chip but also an embedded antenna. If you're not sure about your card, contact the issuing bank. A very small percentage of chip cards are contactless.

Re: RFID protection for new cards?????? Question

Nightowlz — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 19:17:01 GMT

@esmeraldagooch wrote:
I was very excited to get a new card from the bank with the RFID chips in them. My old credit card had been a possible victim of fraud and BofA had replaced it with a new card. Unfortunatly, BofA was still afraid of my new number being used for some reason and refused my use of the new card so I put it away.

Out comes my WF CC. Well, I went to pay my WF card which also has one of these RFID chips in it and low an behold there was an unauthourised $530.00 charge to Comcast in Chicago that I didn't charge. Now that card has been shut down and I have another new CC.

Point being? These chips do nothing to stop people from hacking your accounts.

RFID chips make it easy for hackers to get your info. Get a credit card without the rfid chips.

Re: RFID protection for new cards?????? Question

Adamlambert — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 20:58:09 GMT

Use tin foil in your wallet. Simple and cheap!!

Re: RFID protection for new cards?????? Question

Penellope — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 21:22:06 GMT

Last time I saw a presentation of the RFID protection wallet/purse there was a small disclaimer on the screen which said something like "not all cards have the RFID" blah blah. They must be trying to not be so misleading.

The new EMV gold chips don't have full protection in the US yet. The cards really need to be associated with a Pin # for full protection.

Re: RFID protection for new cards?????? Question

Yahooey — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 22:08:49 GMT

@ValuSkr wrote:
I think QVC - and others - lead people to believe all chip cards need RFID protection. In fact, this isn't true. You need protection only if you have a "contactless card:" it has a chip but also an embedded antenna. If you're not sure about your card, contact the issuing bank. A very small percentage of chip cards are contactless.

That's what I thought. I received the new cards with chips and a friend gave me a RFID case as a gift. I don't have a 'contactless card'. Reading this thread helped me understand it better. Thanks to all for explaining it more simply.

Re: RFID protection for new cards?????? Question

Kachina624 — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 01:48:44 GMT

Boy, retailers have really sold the public a bill of goods on these RFID wallets and handbags. We fell for it hook, line, and sinker. I bet I'll never buy another Travelon bag of any type. They knew full well there was no danger of the current CCs being "waved" into a reader.

Re: RFID protection for new cards?????? Question

KentuckyWoman — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 02:34:42 GMT

I was so worried and confused I finally went to our bank and talked with one of the office managers. She said the debit card and credit card issued by our bank could not be read because of the transaction code. It changes every time you use it and there are no "radio" waves being transmitted. I suggest you call or visit your bank or institution that issued your credit/debit cards and ask for advice.

Re: RFID protection for new cards?????? Question

esmeraldagooch — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 03:33:37 GMT

@Nightowlz wrote:
@esmeraldagooch wrote:
I was very excited to get a new card from the bank with the RFID chips in them. My old credit card had been a possible victim of fraud and BofA had replaced it with a new card. Unfortunatly, BofA was still afraid of my new number being used for some reason and refused my use of the new card so I put it away.

Out comes my WF CC. Well, I went to pay my WF card which also has one of these RFID chips in it and low an behold there was an unauthourised $530.00 charge to Comcast in Chicago that I didn't charge. Now that card has been shut down and I have another new CC.

Point being? These chips do nothing to stop people from hacking your accounts.

RFID chips make it easy for hackers to get your info. Get a credit card without the rfid chips.

Mine do have the chip https://www.wellsfargo.com/chip-card/

Re: RFID protection for new cards?????? Question

shoekitty — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 06:13:29 GMT

I read a new article someone posted here yesterday, They said to wrap the cards in tin foil for a cheap cover. It works better than store bought covers. Just passing it along.

Re: RFID protection for new cards?????? Question

Financialgrl — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 13:31:08 GMT

My older non-chipped card was hacked multiple times last year. My new cards were replaced with cards with embedded chips. I ended up buying a Travelon wallet. There are actually online YouTube videos showing the tin foil experiment. One shows just what you have posted here - a guy with a scanner and a credit card who tests a card the following ways - in a regular wallet. one layer of tin foil and multiple levels of tin foil and then an RFID wallet. A regular wallet and one layer of tin foil allows breach of your data - multiple layers of tin foil and the Travelon RFID wallet do not.

So yeah, tin foil will work but is all tin foil created equal and how many layers will you need to ensure protection? Don't get me wrong - I absolutely believe sellers are scaring the public into buying these products but since I've bought my wallet - I've also not had my card hacked.

As for these new cards, many stores here have the new machines to accept the chipped card but most don't work half the time. Also, if you are at a restaurant and pay by credit card, I've never had a server bring the machine and tell me to swipe my card, they take your card to the back, swipe it and then bring it back and once you relinquish your card, they have your number, your expiration date and the security 3 digit number on the back and can sell that info or use it to buy things online. If I'm going out to eat now, I try to make sure I have enough cash to pay for my meal. Not saying all servers are crooked but I do know 2 of my 4 hacked cards were shortly after eating out at a restaurant.