Is RFID Protection Necessary? | Understanding the Risks & Realities

RFID protection is marketed by many wallet, purse, and bag companies as a necessity for traveling. However, is it really necessary? In this video, we discuss how RFID works and whether it’s worth protecting your credit cards, IDs, and passes against radio skimmers and thieves.
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This video may contain links through which we are compensated when you click on or are approved for offers. The information in this video was not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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MUSIC CREDITS:
- "Magic Marker" by Silent Partner
- "Microchip" by Jason Farnham
- "I Love You" by Vibe Tracks
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PHOTO CREDITS:

[PetePuebla]

Okay I was considering a wallet with RFID protection but after watching this video I think I'm just going to go with any wallet I'd like.

[AverageReviewsYT]

I work for a bank in the fraud dept... That's all I do. Gas pump skimming and atm skimming is the most popular in the us. I have had a few cases where pocket skimming happened. By far the most popular is gas pump

[stevo]

And remember, with a credit card, you have a month to challenge the transaction with your cc issuer.

[angryagain]

Here we are at the end of 2018 and I still have two out of three cards that are still "contactless." There really isn't much of a "premium" on RFID wallets for sale anymore. An RFID wallet can be purchased from Amazon for as little as $5.99. (Maybe less if you dig around some) I figure it is very cheap insurances. Not like there is a downside to having the protection. Kind of like using that sanitizer wipe on a shopping cart handle. There is no problem "until there is one".

[darvinray]

OMG. thank you for posting this. There are so many paranoid people that think EMV chip = RFID.

[bingcherry]

Check your cards carefully they could have both. Anyone on YouTube can say different things, however, your best bet is to check and see for

[MrIwillFlyThere]

Wow u showed a Breeze Marta card! I'm in ATL lol Yeah my Tumi RFID wallet keeps me safe - I guess! LOL But with EMV maybe I'm good all around.

So why do these companies sell RFID blocking wallets if it's not as pervasive here in the US?

[acoustic]

I think new cards are contactless EMV. Thus no info to skim.

[Jacqueline-lp]

I use RFID Protection i dont feel safe without it

[Melker]

How about 2+ RDIF-enabled cards stacked on top of each other, without additional RDF-protection. Can they still be scanned by a thief?

[WindowWasherCalgary]

Great video! Short, informative, helpful and nicely narrated. Thanks.

[tracybrown]

Thank you. Now I understand the difference and can breath more easily.

[Yunghamz]

You can get a decent rfid wallet for £10-£25. If you're paying 80+ bucks for a wallet, the 'cost' of having it rfid protected is a non issue. Good, informative video otherwise.

[jamescallahan]

video i'm really looking for thanks :)

[JosePerez...]

Hi Ernest, awesome review, another great video, keep these coming please !!

Jose P.

[ThuzzelBLS]

Great info, just saved me some $$$. Thanks.

[Karideplov]

I find this funny because spain used to have cards with the chips and they have been moving to contactless more and more over the past years, opposite to the US. And now with the pandemic, everything is contactless. I know people use their phone to pay in the US but people started that here only in March 2020

[franzfms]

Okay, I'm relieved. Not gonna buy rfid blocker items.

[dachd]

I still prefere contactless pay if under 26$ in EU, I fear more of someone spotting the pin I am entering into the terminal and then beating me outside the pub stealing the card.

[AdamLogan]

Thanks, saved me from making an unnecessary purchase.