Are you looking for a new wallet? Then you’ve probably heard of wallets with built-in RFID blocking technology. RFID technology is a relatively new concept in the market, and this article will help you understand what it is and how you can avoid falling victim to one of today’s favorite digital theft methods.

What is RFID Technology?

First, let’s introduce RFID and the type of credit cards that use it. Radio-Frequency Identification, or RFID, is a new technology that tracks and identifies objects with tags using electromagnetic fields. An RFID system basically has two components: a tag and a reader. A tag can be passive or battery-powered. Information is encoded in the tag, which is read by a reader—a two-way radio transmitter. The passive tag uses the energy from the reader’s radio waves to transmit the information, while battery-powered tags use their battery. Once the reader decodes the information, it sends it to an RFID computer system.

How Do RFID Chips Work?

RFID chips are designed to be small and hidden since they do not require a power source. But they need an RFID tag to function, which consists of an antenna and a chip. This tag must come into contact with its respective RFID reader to work. In the case of an RFID-enabled credit card, details like the name, card number, etc., can be accessed if it comes in contact with an RFID reader. However, the tag must be within a specific distance from the reader. This distance depends on factors such as power, frequency, antenna size, etc.

This technology is used in many areas, including military, commercial aviation, keyless car entry, electronic tags, passports, laptops, mobile phones, and credit cards, and today it is widely used in credit cards for contactless payments—you just need to bring the card close to a scanner without inserting or swiping it.

Since this makes the card vulnerable, credit card companies take several measures to keep it safe from hackers and criminals. Covering the RFID-enabled card with a foil layer is one secure way to block the wireless signal, or you could remove the chip yourself.

However, for everyday use, these methods may not seem practical.

Today, there is another way to ensure your RFID credit card is safe. Wallets that can block these RFID signals exist, and at Qiwa we are at the forefront of innovations that protect the safety of our users.

What is RFID Signal Blocking in Wallets and Its Benefit?

Although RFID credit cards save time during payment, they have a disadvantage. Hackers use RFID skimmers to access information on your cards. They just use an illegitimate RFID reader from a distance to scan and download all the card’s information. This type of digital theft is known as RFID skimming. Using this information, criminals can clone your card and leave your account empty.

Since RFID is just electromagnetic waves, blocking it is easy. Choosing a wallet with RFID blocking is your best option. RFID technology is widely used in banking and commerce, and it’s hard to avoid, so wallets with this system can safely protect your information from cyber thieves.

These wallets block the signal like a Faraday cage, which is a structure that blocks the electromagnetic signal around the wallet. Regular leather wallets use a metal piece on both sides of the card. Some cards are fully made of metal, which acts as a Faraday cage.

While some DIY solutions suggest wrapping your cards or wallet in aluminum foil, RFID-blocking wallets integrate protective layers seamlessly into their design, keeping all your cards safe and secure. Using an RFID-blocking wallet not only protects against scanning theft but also prevents signals from reaching other cards when making contactless payments.

Although these wallets provide scanning protection, you can also take extra precautions. Being cautious with online transactions through secure gateways or keeping your wallet in the front pocket instead of the back pocket are small steps to avoid incidents.

Why Do You Need an RFID Wallet?

At Qiwa, we know that security and convenience are as important as style. We have combined our handcrafted designs with RFID protection to offer a range of wallets you can trust. Timeless design and long-lasting quality ensure that, regardless of wireless technology changes, our wallets remain luxurious and protective.

Our range of RFID-blocking wallets is made of elegant, flexible genuine leather that ages beautifully with use. RFID protection doesn’t mean adding bulky layers that block signals, nor does it mean compromising functionality for style in a product as essential as a wallet.

Learn more about our story here and browse our product catalog here. You can also contact us directly here.