Question 1

What is RFID?

Accepted Answer

RFID stands for Radio-Frequency Identification Technology. A small chip and an antenna relay information from credit and debit cards to contactless scanners, serving the same purpose as a barcode or magnetic strip on the back of a card. Contactless payment cards are convenient as they don’t need to be in direct contact with the scanner to work and can be used without a PIN or signature. However, the long-range nature of the technology enables an RFID chip to be read from up to 20 feet away with a high-powered skimming device, which could compromise personal data.

Question 2

Where is RFID used?

Accepted Answer

RFID technology is used everywhere, from retail and leisure to banking and the workplace, and across a variety of documents from identity cards to driving licences. Most countries use RFID chips in passports, while several cities use the technology in public transport passes – London’s Oyster card is a key example. In addition, many businesses use RFID building access cards. Almost all credit and debit cards now carry contactless technology, which is also referred to as ExpressPay (American Express), payWave (Visa), PayPass (MasterCard), and Zip (Discover).

Question 3

What are the dangers associated with RFID technology?

Accepted Answer

RFID enabled cards undoubtedly save time for consumers and organisations, but as they have become more common around the globe, significant security concerns have also emerged. Criminals can easily acquire equipment capable of accessing the data stored on your cards or passports from several meters away. Fraudsters can utilise this data to replicate credit cards, steal identities, or access secure buildings.

Question 4

What current RFID protection is available and how effective is it?

Accepted Answer

As awareness of RFID fraud has grown, an array of products have attempted to address security concerns. Most products are based on the principle of shielding the RFID card from electromagnetic waves by using metal foils. Yet this approach is susceptible to flaws due to the way electromagnetic waves travel. To ensure full protection, cards must be fully wrapped in steel foil with no gaps – but this is almost impossible to achieve. A typical wallet with metal shielding can therefore only protect against low power reading devices and not at all angles.

Question 5

How does VAULTCARD compare to other RFID protection?

Accepted Answer

We have summarised the key positives and negatives of the most widely used RFID protection methods. Several products offer shielding but none are design focused and they are generally not effective against powerful skimming devices.

VAULTCARD provides secure protection while allowing you to keep your existing wallet that you know and love.

Question 6

How does VAULTCARD work?

Accepted Answer

VAULTCARD switches on automatically when it senses an electromagnetic wave emitted by an RFID scanner and responds to signal strengths one hundred times less than those required for contactless cards to function. Its patent pending RFID protection technology is unique to contactless card safety devices and is based on highly sophisticated jamming signals frequently used by the military.Its unmatched protection utilises an extremely efficient design, which emits a complex electromagnetic jamming signal that completely shuts out any RFID communication.

Question 7

How do I use VAULTCARD?

Accepted Answer

Place VAULTCARD in the middle of your wallet. All RFID enabled cards will be protected within 1.6 inches (4cm) of the VAULTCARD, offering protection inside wallets up to 8cm thick.
Contactless cards can still be used to pay for transactions in the normal way – just ensure the VAULTCARD is held 8 inches (20cm) away when making payments.