what blocks RFID ?

[JohnHenry]

I been hearing/seeing "stuff" about RFID and the ability to read the chips in
your credit cards, passports, etc. without any contact.

Since I just bought a new ( and overly expensive ) wallet for the wifes Chrismas present .... Yes, I said Christmas, not Winter Holiday or any other PC B.S. title .

So, my question is "What Blocks RFID ?" .... is there something I can place inside the new wallet to block the scanning ?

[HunterAlpha1]

Originally Posted by JohnHenry

I been hearing/seeing "stuff" about RFID and the ability to read the chips in
your credit cards, passports, etc. without any contact.

Since I just bought a new ( and overly expensive ) wallet for the wifes Chrismas present .... Yes, I said Christmas, not Winter Holiday or any other PC B.S. title .

So, my question is "What Blocks RFID ?" .... is there something I can place inside the new wallet to block the scanning ?

a magnet i would think, but unfortunately it would also effect your credit cards

[RunningOnMT]

I saw something on TV about wrapping your cards in tinfoil.

[geds]

I've seen lead-lined cases (wallets) advertised to do that. Who wants to sit on a hunk of lead tho?

[wsas7816]

In California we have a system called FasTrac which is an RFID box that you put in the windshield of your car allowing you to pay bridge and road tolls electronically. There are times when you need to cover up the RFID box so you are not charged (i.e. car pool discount) and for this you are given a "coated zip-loc bag". I am unsure of the coating but my guess is that it's the same stuff that you might find covering electronics and computer boards. It is effective, and light weight (obviously). I hope this helps.

[wsas7816]

I just found the reference with FasTrack and they say the bags are Mylar and I believe they are lined, likely with metal. I would recommend more research but several other internet sources agree that Mylar will likely block all of the RFID.

[jack404]

ok RFID work by building up a energy charge and rele4asing that charge as a radio signal that low powered and low range ( mostly) a faraday cage or mesh of wire to intercept the energy would work if you get it in the mesh

think of a stealth fighter and radar .. very similar the angles do most of it but theres also a mesh under the skin that takes the radar energy and bleeds it away so it dont bounce back to the sender ..

[joncutt87]

Aluminum foil should work

[armedandsafe]

Any conductive metal container works. Lining the inside of the wallet with foil will work, if the edges overlap. They sell snap open cases which are just a bit smaller than a cigarette case just for the purpose of carrying credit cards and such. There are metal cases for passports, also. Google "case rfid proof" for 3,090,000 hits.

Pops

[raven818]

They make a super light mesh metal card holder just for the purpose of blocking scanners. And other types.
You can get a feel for what your looking for, and prices here:

http://tinyurl.com/89ejf6p

[Bobitis]

Whatcha got with a chip in it?

I've heard that a few well placed smacks with a hammer will fix the issue.

[armedandsafe]

Credit cards, debit cards, driver's license, passports, club ID cards, work ID cards, hotel door keys, work door keys, the dog's left ear.

Pops

[holyjake79]

How about the Aluma wallet that I have seen advertised on TV? They look like they would work.

[JohnHenry]

Thanks folks ! I do appreciate your comments .... I'm going to try the foil inside the new ( overly expensive ) wallet .

[raven818]

It's also a good idea to keep an eye on anybody that you hand your cards to. Pocket scanners have been in-play for a long time. They scan your card going to or from the register. If possible, keep the card in view.

I had a card number stolen, and the person who stole it donated .15 cents to the Red Cross while on-line. Security for the issuer called me to ask if I had done it..No..they cancelled it immediately and sent me a new one.

The reason for the 15 cent charge was to see if the card was any good. Citii was on top of it, thankfully.

[millwright]

Originally Posted by JohnHenry

I been hearing/seeing "stuff" about RFID and the ability to read the chips in
your credit cards, passports, etc. without any contact.

Since I just bought a new ( and overly expensive ) wallet for the wifes Chrismas present .... Yes, I said Christmas, not Winter Holiday or any other PC B.S. title .

So, my question is "What Blocks RFID ?" .... is there something I can place inside the new wallet to block the scanning ?

Step One: Return the wallet!

Step Two: Go to Wired.com or Engadget and find one that will block all RFID scans of the encased cards !

Basically, what you're looking for is a "Faraday Cage" to keep your RFID treasures in ! Various cards use different levels of "protective encryption " but the best/surest bet is to make the cards unreadable except at the time of use. Yeah, I know it ain't a "perfect solution", but educated your lady/yourself not to "pull the card" until you need to, and return it to safekeeping asap !

FWIW, always "shield" your card(s) from casual observation and immediately clear the screen after your purchase, too ! Be especially wary of anyone using a cell phone in the checkout line ! IOW, think of any credit/debit card as your net worth on public display ! >MW

[reynolds357]

Originally Posted by RunningOnMT

I saw something on TV about wrapping your cards in tinfoil.

Shielding and grounding.

[Carne Frio]

http://m.sportsmansguide.com/Product.aspx?a=748450

http://difrwear.com/

Stainless steel wallets

[jack404]

copper fly wire is THE best at blocking RFID but connect it to a LED so the energy ( while not enough to light the LED ) will have a place to run too

thats from a bloke here who's a expert at such things

[Old Grump]

3 minutes, high power in a microwave works for me but then I am kind of a grinch when it comes to that kind of thing.

If a picture ID, and cash isn't good enough for them then to hell with it.

[wsas7816]

How to Make a Faraday Cage Wallet ... http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Make_a_Faraday_Cage_Wallet

[dons2346]

Originally Posted by JohnHenry

Thanks folks ! I do appreciate your comments .... I'm going to try the foil inside the new ( overly expensive ) wallet .

How are you going to know if it works or not?

[JLA]

Go find some brass screen stock and cut a few card sized pieces for your wallet. I got the idea from mythbusters. they built a box the size of a phone booth and walled in nothing more than brass screen. It killed all electronic signals. Cellphones, radio, CB, etc. etc. etc. I cant see a scanner that reads stored electronic data being able to scan the data thru an uncompatable material. So I have 3 brass screens in my wallet. I cut 1 for each fold, and my wallet is a trifold. Put them toward the outside. and the inner ones help jam the recieve of the scanners im sure.

[cow0man]

Check out this link: http://www.idstronghold.com/Show-All...ts/products/4/
Should have what you want, or at least give you words that you can search to find other suppliers.

[joncutt87]

Ok, for some reason it hasn't set in until now. I have access to rfid chips and readers, all day at work. I'll do some research