RFID Block : Wallets and Cases : Credit Cards at Risk : Gift for Traveler : Keep your data safe

"'If I'm walking through a crowd, and I get near people's back pocket and their wallet, I just have to get that close to it and there's my credit card and expiration date on the screen,' Security expert Walt Augustinowicz told WREG correspondent Scott Noll.

"Using just an off-the-shelf card reader he bought online for less than $100 and a Netbook computer, Augustinowicz explained, he could swipe credit card numbers, expiration dates, and in some cases, even people's names." -- From CBS News.

Do you gamble? Visiting Las Vegas, Atlantic City or any town that has table games? At least since the mid-2000s, more and more casinos have been embedding their casino chips with RFID tracking technology. An RFID chip reader. Special for casino checks, casino chips.

Department stores such as Wal-Mart, Target and Kohls are said to be adding RFID chips into their clothing for purposes of inventory control. I worked in libraries for years and was there when we moved to adding RFID tags, in the form of essentially RFID stickers, to some of the library materials for inventory and security measures. After buying a coat at Kohl's years ago, I cut out a sewn in tag and inside was what appeared to be one of their RFID tags. This is becoming more of a common practice in libraries today. The technology does a good job of inventory control in many different environments.

In the library, we were told that if a patron had items in a backpack for instance, the technology built into the gate or doorway could scan and alert staff if the person had in their possession any library items that had not been appropriately checked out.

This is, one would assume, similar to the gates we often now walk through as we enter and exit stores and some other public places. We've experienced those department store gates beeping as we try to leave and we have no store merchandise with us at all, the only thing would be items we've just paid for. The technology is never perfect.

Bags or wallets lined in foil or duct-tape lined are supposed to thwart these readers and systems but they don't always work. Even back then they were discussing that the makers of shoplifting prevention systems were working so that items such as those would prove less and less or a barrier.

Handheld RFID scanners can pick up on this information as well, they can tell how much you're carrying. RFID blocking products are the way to go. Help to ensure safe holiday travel. Will your kids, your teenagers be traveling with you? This is a idea, maybe a gift, to have for them as well. Teaching good habits.

Apparently hackers and pickpockets are out there coming up with ways to get and use this data that's floating through the air. Now is a good time to block out information. What a great idea for a gift to give anyone, particularly the person who travels. It doesn't matter if she has a lot of money or credit cards, just a couple, just an ATM card, etc. We all value our privacy. RFID wallets can help keep your information private.

No longer do RFID Blocking Wallets have any specific look or feel to them. For men or women, regardless of age or style, you'll find something. Looking for a unique gift idea? Does someone you know travel a lot? Included are some of the best gift cards. Slip a gift card into a wallet and give it as a very special present! So many coworkers travel, at Secret Santa time, it's a good office gift.

Is someone you know changing jobs? Are they traveling in search of that new career or hoping to finally turn that avocation into a vocation? Consider getting them a safe, attractive and practical gift. A little self-gifting can be a good thing, too.

Royce Leather RFID Blocking Fan Wallet