Wireless Identity Theft - Skimming The Airwaves

Wireless Identity theft, also know as skimming, is a fairly new method of stealing of an individuals personal information with the use Radio-Frequency identification (RFID) mechanisms.  RFID is an automatic identification method that  makes use of minute computer chips smaller than a grain of sand to retrieve stored data from a distance. Access control cards such as credit, debit, or government issued identification cards carry a RFID chip that transmit or broadcasts personal account information (e.g. Name, Address, Social Security Number) on the cardholder whenever it is targeted by an RF pulse.

Thieves use this technology to steal information through the airwaves, clone it and sell fake RFID cards; the average person almost never knows when they have been attacked by a Skimmer. RFID tags do not have to be visible to the reading device. These tags can be scanned through clothes, wallets, and even cars. The distance from which RFID tags can be read is at an average of 69 feet, and can certainly go further.

Fortunately RFID signals can be encrypted for protection. For instance the chips that will go into US passports, would most probably be coded to prevent unauthorized readers from retrieving their onboard information. But the fact of the matter is that most commercial RFID tags don't include security it is just too expensive. It's simply not cost-effective for your average office building to invest in secure chips.

Identity thieves aren't the only concern. "Authorized users" of RFID technology, such as stores and restaurants that accept RFID payments, have been draining information from RFID-enabled credit, debit and loyalty cards to in order to perform in-depth marketing research on consumers. Stores are legally allowed to hide RFID readers in doorways, counters and many other locations where they can easily and unknowingly steal your information. In April 2006, there was a case where techno criminals shocked the world when they used a laptop and transmitter to open the locks and start the ignition of, soccer player David Beckhams, armor-plated BMW X5. This form of theft is obviously not one to be taken lightly.

New developments with cell phones and RFID have provided thieves with yet another method of stealing info through the airwaves. A well equipped cell phone could be used to scan your hand bag or purse. RFID-reading cell phones are on the market (Nokia 6131nfc), such phones are already being used in Japan and parts of Europe. In Japan they even plan on using cell phones to pay for cab fares. There are many website available on how to use RFID to steal someone's personal details, they provide step by step guides and even sell the needed equipment.

Lucky for us the signal sent out by a RFID tag is easily blocked by metal. This means that placing the RFID tag inside of a Faraday cage will prevent the information from being read. There are many products available, like Passport strong hold bags, that protect RFID-enabled passports, cards etc. the Armadillo Dollar "skimming" shield product is already well know for blocking transmission of  private information from RFID-enabled debit/credit cards or employee badges. But for the thrifty spenders out there simply rapping your wallet in Aluminum Foil with do the trick!