Should we be worried about contactless fraud?

In 2017 for the first time ever, contactless card fraud overtook cheque fraud. But what is contactless fraud and how can it be used to target someone?

What is RFID?

First things first, we need to talk about the tech that’s embedded into everyday items such as debit/credit cards, passports and ID cards. Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) refers to a small chip that is built into contactless bank cards, passports and security passes which stores personal information about a specific person. This means you can make quick payments, glide through airport security and gain instant access to your workplace. But is it all good news?

Contactless fraud

Contactless fraud can happen in 2 ways. The first is when a criminal steals another person’s card and then uses the contactless technology to make small purchases in shops. The second is when someone uses a “skimming device” to access the personal information of a card or ID owner. Just think, in the same way your card can be read by a contactless payment machine, thieves can also use skimming devices to read your data and use this for their personal gain.

What you can do to prevent being another statistic

Here are 4 tops tips to help you prevent becoming a victim of contactless card fraud.

1. Regularly check your bank statements – By taking 5 or 10 minutes to go through your bank statement at the end of each month you will not only spot contactless fraud but card fraud as a whole.
2. Think about where you carry your wallet or purse – We tend to be more observant of people in front of us so carrying your RFID cards in your front pocket means you are less likely to be targeted by thieves with scanning devices.
3. Purchase an RFID wallet – Metal layers fused into the body of RFID wallets block the radio waves between a skimming device and your contactless cards. Be sure to get one that is SGS TUV tested and approved.
4. Look after your ID pass – It’s more and more common for businesses to issue staff with security passes to access their building, so make sure you keep yours secure with a tried and tested RFID SECURE Security pass holder.