In this article, I wrote about the issue of identity theft from RFID credit cards, ID cards and biometric passports. I also wrote that the best ways of avoiding identity theft from RFID credit cards is to use chip and pin credit cards in favour of RFID credit cards and to monitor one’s bank statements for any suspicious transactions.
Having said this, some people may not be ready to give away their RFID credit cards, while for others using a non RFID credit cards may not be possible. It is also unlikely that one would be ready to check his or her bank transactions every day or so.
When it comes to passports and ID cards, using non RFID ones is not an option given than most countries issue biometric passports and ID cards which have an RFID tag. Having said this, the information available in the RFID microchip of an ID card is usually just the ID card number. Thus stealing an ID card number by itself brings little or no benefits to the person stealing it.
The RFID microchip on passports usually contains the information in the passport plus some biometric information, like the fingerprint of the passport holder. However, as in the case of the ID card, there is not much purpose in having access to such information, except in cases when one wants to cross borders with the identity of another person.
Having said this, there is an effective way of protecting any RFID cards and biometric passports against identity theft. This comes in the form of specifically designed protective sleeves. The material in such sleeves blocks the RFID signals that are emitted by a card or passport, thus making the usage of any RFID reader ineffective.
Most RFID protective sleeves are made of a Tyvek outer layer and an interior layer for blocking the RFID signals. Tyvek is known to be a lightweight, water resistant and tear resistant material. RFID protective sleeves can be bought pretty cheaply from Amazon but some models are available at eBay at a much cheaper price.
US Sellers:
Rogue One Wallet Guard RFID Credit Card Wallet Protector Sleeve – US $3.50 + free postage for the US.
10x RFID Credit Debit ID Card Sleeve Protector Blocking Safety Shield Anti Theft – US $4.70 + free shipping to the US.
20 PACK HIGH LEVEL RFID Blocking Credit Card Sleeve Protector Shield WaterProof – US $9.99 + free postage to the US.
15pc-RFID SECURITY SLEEVE + Bonus for Credit Card Case – US $13.79 + free postage for the US
Armored Wallet RFID Credit Card Sleeves (4 Pack) – Leather Look – US $8.95 + US $5.95 shipping for the US.
RFID Passport ID Sleeve Protector Blocking Safety Aluminum Shield Anti Theft – US $3.49 + free postage for the US.
RFID Blocking Passport Sleeve/ Passport Holder *2 SLEEVES* – US $4.99 + free postage for the US.
3 x Passport 10 x RFID Blocking ID Credit Card Protector Secure Sleeve holder – US $5.49 + free shipping for the US.
UK Sellers:
Credit Card Sleeve. RFID Blocking Card Protector – £0.99 for 1 card, £3.69 for 5 cards or £6.69 for 10 cards. Free shipping to the UK.
Credit Card Sleeve. RFID Blocking Card Identity Theft Protector. HIGH QUALITY – £0.99 for 1 card, £1.69 for passport holder. Shipping to the UK is free.
10 x RFID Blocking ID Credit Card Protector Secure Sleeve Holder Aluminium Foil – £1.99 for 10 cards. Free shipping to the UK.
100% RFID BLOCKING OYSTER CREDIT DEBIT CARD ID THEFT PROTECTOR SLEEVE ENVELOPE – £2.79 + free shipping to the UK.
Passport Sleeve. RFID Blocking Card Identity Theft Protector – £1.49 + free postage to the UK.
3 x RFID BLOCKING OYSTER CREDIT DEBIT CARD ID THEFT PROTECTION SLEEVE ENVELOPE – £2.49 + free postage to the UK.
Hong Kong / Chinese Sellers:
10 x RFID Anti Theft Credit Card Protector Blocking Aluminum Safety Sleeve – US $2.07 or £1.32 + free postage worldwide.
Hot 10pcs RFID Secure Sleeves Credit Card Holder Blocking Protector Case Shield – US $2.18 or £1.39. Cost includes free shipping worldwide.
10PCS Credit Card Sleeve RFID Blocking Card Identity Theft Protector Sleeve Case – US $1.55 or £0.99 + US $1.55 or £0.39 shipping worldwide.
10PCS RFID Blocking ID Credit Debit Card Protector Secure Sleeve Holder Envelope – US $1.55 or £0.99 + US $3.12 or £0.49 shipping worldwide.
3 x Passport 10 x RFID Blocking ID Credit Card Protector Secure Sleeve holder – US $4.49 + free shipping worldwide.
5 x RFID Blocking Passport Secure Sleeve Protector holder – US $4.99 + free shipping worldwide.