Traditional leather wallets offer little protection against RFID skimming, but several wallets offer built-in RFID blocking to keep your money safe.
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Electronic pickpocketing is, unfortunately, becoming more and more common in today’s world. Commonly known as radio-frequency identification (RFID) skimming, this relatively new kind of information theft can cause a lot of trouble for anyone who becomes a victim of it.
So how does it work? When thieves are in close enough proximity, a scanning device can be used to steal important account information stored in your credit and debit cards. Banking information can be scanned and stolen from the chips in credit cards leaving victims unaware that they have been scammed — especially since RFID theft mostly happens in high-traffic areas. Thankfully, there is an easy way to prevent this, and it is simple as upgrading your wallet.
While traditional leather wallets will not offer protection against RFID skimming, there are several designs out there nowadays that offer built-in RFID blocking protection, which should stop these scammers in their tracks. Thankfully this protection is quite common, and many brands now make wallets with RFID blocking protection. Here are 10 of the best wallets that offer RFID blocking protection to keep your money safe.Ridge
Ridge is no doubt one of the most well-known brands when it comes to RFID-blocking wallets, and Ridge’s Stonewashed Titanium metal wallet is able to hold up to 12 cards. The wallet is also able to hold cash with an elastic cash strap on one side of the wallet and a money clip on the other. It does not have a place to hold one’s change, however.
The Stonewashed Titanium wallet from Ridge has a dual track design that is made from Grade 2 titanium, although the company also offers wallets made from aluminum and carbon materials. However, all of Ridge’s wallets contain RFID blocking inner plates to protect your important information and valuable cards inside. The wallet’s slim design and scratch-resistant materials make it much different from the bulkier, leather bifold wallets that most of us are accustomed to.
These wallets take up minimal space yet are rarely limiting — unless you really need a compartment for your change — and it sits perfectly well in a front pocket, although the hard materials could be uncomfortable if put in your back pocket. It is not the cheapest wallet out there, but its quality cannot be denied.PacSafe RFIDsafe Z50
PacSafe is a brand known for its commitment to security and mobility whose RFID blocking material meets the official US FIPS 201 quality standard. On top of the RFID blocking technology, the wallet also comes with a detachable metal chain making it that much more difficult for thieves to pick your pocket since the chain can be secured to a belt loop or around one’s wrist.
The PacSafe RFIDsafe Z50 wallet includes 11 slots for debit or credit cards, a mesh window for an identity card as well as one zippered note slot. Its RFID blocking properties cover the radio frequencies used in most e-passports, credit cards, ID cards, and key cards. It is made of polyester and has a trifold design, is a good size, and is water resistant. Thanks to the added physical layer of extra security on offer, this is one of the most secure wallets out there.Trayvax Original 2.0 Slim Metal Wallet
For those uninterested in traditional designs, the Trayvax Original 2.0 Slim Metal Wallet offers a unique tactical style design and functionality in its aluminum RFID blocking wallet. The metal composition which makes up this wallet is very durable with many buyers claiming in their Amazon reviews that the wallet still holds up after many years of use.
