Unfortunately, RFID theft is a real thing.
Thieves can steal your data by walking past you and using a device to scan your cards. This is professionally called “skimming”.
In 2016 thieves netted over $16billion through card theft and skimming, and this number has been rising ever since.
According to an Identity Fraud Study
In this guide, we’ll talk you through the 7 best RFID blocking wallets that you can buy today.
Failure to have an RFID Blocking Wallet poses a risk to your credit card information as opportunists can steal this information by simply standing next to you.
These wallets block RFID signals to be shared contactless and provide a source of comfort and security to you – the user.
By choosing any of the below-mentioned wallets, you are guaranteeing yourself protection from fraud as well as a great new wallet. A wallet with just as good a design and functionality as your old one. Thus getting the best of both worlds.
Best RFID Blocking Wallets in Short
When searching for the best RFID Blocking wallet you will discover many options. They come in a variety and vary according to their material, size, design, among other factors. However, they should be top-notch. And, of course, they should have maximum functionality, alongside the promised RFID protection.
With modern technology comes modern designs and we have outlined the top 7 RFID Blocking Wallets for men and women that you should spend your cash on.
1. Bellroy Hide & Seek
This RFID blocking wallet is made of genuine leather. It’s a compact wallet with a sophisticated aesthetic for those who would like to stand out. It has a hidden bill compartment and coin pocket making it perfect for the organization of cards, cash, and coins in a tidy manner. It’s also slightly thicker than your average minimalist wallet and despite being made of leather, the card slots don’t stretch out. It offers a complete package of a firm RFID blocking technology wallet.
If you’re looking for a minimalist RFID blocking wallet then you don’t need to look further than the Bellroy Hide and Seek. This beautiful leather wallet has everything that you could ever need.
2. Serman Brands Slim
The Serman Brands Slim RFID blocking wallet is also made of genuine leather material and its huge size can store up to 10 cards and 20 banknotes of any currency. It also has a thin design which makes it easy to fit into whichever pocket which is not uncommon in most standard minimalist wallets. Inside it, it also has an ID window so you can quickly flash your ID or driver’s license if you need to.
Its material and internal linings make it perfect for protection against data theft by RFID scanners.
3. Pitaka MagEZ
The Pitaka MagEZ RFID blocking folding wallet is a minimalist wallet that is made of carbon fiber. It is a super slim wallet and has card slots for 6 cards. A unique feature of this piece is that it is modular, meaning it has layers and each layer has a function that connects using magnets. It also means that you can add and remove layers as you see fit. When accessing your credit cards you just slide one layer horizontally and it flips out. There’s also the option for a money clip or a money tray add-on.
The Pitaka MagEZ is the perfect wallet if you’d like to stand out and would like a wallet that is far from the ordinary. It’s card holder does take some time to wear in but on the whole it’s a superb option.
4. Dango Dapper Wallet
The Dango Dapper RFID blocking wallet is made from 6061 aerospace-grade CNC’d aluminum and is designed to hold up to 12 cards. Both credit and business cards. It gets to just over 0.3 inches thick once 6 cards are slotted inside the wallet. This also comes with three color options so you are guaranteed to find the perfect option that matches your style and taste. If you are looking for the best RFID wallets which provide modernity and offer some style, this is the one to go for!
5. Radix One Black Steel
The Radix One Black Steel RFID blocking wallet is very thin as compared to most existing RFID wallets in the market. Its card slots comfortably hold 4-10 cards and the outer cards can be removed from the wallet very easily. The two plates are made of stainless steel making them resistant to corroding/rusting. Another feature is that it will block frequencies operating at 13.56MHz.
6. Fidelo Minimalist Wallet
The Fidelo Minimalist wallet is a beautiful steel wallet housed in a gorgeous leather case. The steel naturally provides you with the required RFID protection while the leather sheath gives it a touch of elegance. Additionally the leather
7. Zoppen Multi-Purpose
The Zoppen Multi-Purpose RFID Blocking Travel Passport is the perfect organized traveling as it protects your information as well as organizing your identification items while on the move. It contains 3 credit card slots, 1 passport pocket, 1 id slot, 1 boarding pass compartment, 1 sim card pouch, 1 coupon ticket slot, 1 cellphone pouch, 1 money & coins zippered pocket, 1 key holder, and 1 pen holder. As its name suggests, this is perfect for the occasional traveler.
With so much functionality, the Zoppen is
What is RFID?
RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification and it is an electromagnetic field to discover and track objects embedded with the system using tags that hold digital information. This is considered an upgrade from the conventional supermarket barcodes. This next-level technology has the ability to access sensitive product information from a distance and track its usage.
What is an RFID Blocking Wallet?
RFID wallets comprise a layer of wrapping made from carbon fiber or metal. This special layer in these RFID blocking wallets blocks the electromagnetic fields from the reach of any financial cards which have RFID chips embedded in them.
This carbon fiber or metal used for shielding is a conductive material. The measurement of conductivity determines how easy the radio waves communicate and transfer through a material.
This protective layer takes the incoming electromagnetic waves from a malicious person’s RFID scanner and spreads it around the wallet, but denies any entry through the shield.
EMV vs RFID vs NFC
EMV stands for Europay, MasterCard, and Visa and is commonly referred to as a credit card with a smart chip. The smart chip is used to store data that is required to process transactions. Every EMV card is embedded with an operating computer system, offering sophisticated authentication as compared to traditional magnetic-stripe cards. The chip is tamper-proof resulting thus making it almost impossible to clone the card.
RFID is the predecessor to NFC and uses radio waves embedded in the card for the transmission of credit card information. When using a card with RFID during a purchase at a store, you don’t need to swipe your card but instead just hold the card a few inches from the merchant’s scanner, and payment is made automatically. This is different from EMV as EMV requires a contact for making payments.
NFC stands for Near Field Communication and is a type of RFID that needs someone to be within inches of the card reader during any transactions. This helps keep away fraudsters from skimming your information easily as opposed to RFID which can process payments from a long-range. The NFC chip is embedded in mobile phones and can be used for contactless chip cards.
Types of Wallets
Before buying a new radio frequency identification wallet, you need to consider these important product factors to get the best RFID wallets:
- Material – faux leather, genuine leather, aluminum, carbon fiber, canvas
- Style – cardholder, bifold wallet, trifold wallet, passport, phone
- Storage – card slots, cardholder, slip pockets, front pocket, back pocket
- Accessories – locking clasps, money clips, ID windows, coin pockets, slide pockets
Other Ways to Protect Your Card Information
Other than looking for the best RFID wallets, here are other ways in which you can protect your card information against identity theft:
- Use known, trusted Sites when shopping.
- Never share a photo of your credit card on any social media platform.
- Report lost cards and suspected fraud right away to your bank.
- Create unique passwords.
- Reviewing your recent account activity often.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some commonly asked questions when it comes to choosing the best RFID wallet. If you still have questions, then feel free to get in contact with us.
Do RFID Wallets Really Work?
Yes. An RFID wallet does block transmissions from RFID devices that can steal your money, your account information, plus any other personal information. It should be noted the quality of blocking will vary with each RFID wallet.
Are All RFID Wallets the Same?
No. All RFID wallets can never be the same. Apart from the RFID blocking technology used in a particular RFID wallet, they vary in material, style, storage, and accessories. If genuine leather, card slots, and carbon fiber are something you are looking for, you can still get all this with a great RFID blocking wallet.
Do RFID wallets ruin credit cards?
No. RFID blocking wallets only offer a protective layer for your credit cards to prevent skimmers from stealing your information. They definitely don’t mess with any of your cards and help keep them safe and sorted.
Is there any RFID wallet with a phone charger?
Yes. Some RFID wallets come embedded with RFID blocking technology and a power bank wallet embedded. Some of these RFID protection wallets even support a USB port to keep your mobile and other accessories charged and ready to go.
So How Do I Chose the Best RFID Wallet?
RFID wallets are a must-have accessory in our current modern world. Skimmers are always looking for loopholes to steal credit information from unaware targets. The only way to protect yourself and not become a target is to safeguard your credit card information using one of the RFID wallets outlined in this article.
When deciding to choose the best RFID wallets, you should consider your preferences. Whether you like a genuine leather wallet, bifold or trifold wallet? Maybe you prefer slim minimalist leather over anything. There are numerous wallets features for how you want to carry your cash and cards That is also, something that is totally dependent on your usage and priority.