Find out why you should care about these letters… RFID!

Credit cards, drivers' licenses, corporate ids, university ids, speed passes and passports now contain RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags. Why should you care? Because criminals have discovered that electronic devices known as Radio Frequency Readers (or Remote Frequency Readers) readily available on the web for less than $100.00 -can scan and "skim" your personal information  –without your knowledge.

Recently, my local ABC station (WPLG, Miami) aired a disturbing, eye-opening report. Without difficulty, the WPLG investigative reporter purchased one of these devices on the web and began her journey to find out just how easily she could steal her co-workers personal information.

First, she armed and activated her device with an audible alarm in order to allow the viewers, and her intended targets, to hear an audible signal each time the device successfully “skimmed” their data. Her targets would not immediately know why an annoying beeping noise was emitting from the reporter’s purse…at least not until it was too late.

Carrying her purse, the reporter nonchalantly walked by an unsuspecting employee’s desk, and suddenly, a beeping noise emanated from the reporter's bag. She then set her purse on another co-worker's desk –again, more beeping. She proceeded to walk casually down the office hallway past another co-worker, and yet again, more beeping. Each audible beep meant she had successfully hacked the unsuspecting target's private information -information the targets believed was safely stowed away.

Keep in mind, criminals won’t activate their devices with an audible alarm designed to warn us they're about to attack our purses, wallets or business, as this investigative reporter's device was equipped to do. She also warned viewers that oftentimes criminals will work in teams. While one crook is skimming your information, the other is busy snapping a picture of you on his/her cell phone. In a few short seconds, for all intents and purposes -they've just stolen you!

It's hard to imagine just how much sensitive information can be "skimmed" at airports, shopping malls, grocery stores, sporting events, universities, etc. without anyone being the wiser. And how much damage (or how many doors) will that stolen data open everyone up to? Could confidential information stored on personnel badges or key cards -if stolen, provide a thief entrance or access to pass protected computers, corporate or government facilities, college campuses, classified information? Yes -if not properly secured and protected.

Since retaining our identity has become a daily struggle simply trying to avoid identity theft, data breaches, hackers, scams, predators and fraud…this latest technology isn't something we can afford to ignore. The days of simply worrying about keeping our wallets in our “physical” possession are long gone. Our having "physical" possession of our wallets and credit cards does not immunize us from fraud.

With radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags being embedded in everything from quick-pay credit cards to the new U.S. passports, "skimming" is has now become a chosen method for criminals to perpetrate identity theft and other more dangerous crimes. Innovative criminals have installed RF readers on ATM's, embedded them in carpet, and hidden them on store shelves. Criminals may be disguised as your pleasant waiter or friendly cashier, just waiting to swipe more than your credit card with one of these hidden devices. When you've been “skimmed” and "scammed" -odds are you won't know about it… until the damage has already been done.

What can you do to minimize your risk or thwart these attacks?

Aside from using tin foil or duct tape to hide your identifying information, here's a few websites that offer products, services or additional educational resources.

·          DIFRWEAR.com sells RFID Blocking Wallets. “…RFID Blocking Wallets ensure that cards with RFID tags within the wallet can NOT be read while the wallet is closed. This gives you the ability to control when, how and by whom your cards are accessed.”

·         It’s much better to be proactive than it is to be reactive. Spending a little money now, just may save you a lot of money, time and headaches later; See FTC.gov.idtheft  

·         For more information about radio-frequency technology and to read RFID Position Statement of Consumer Privacy and Civil Liberties Organizations visit privacyrights.org

·          Order your free annual credit reports go to annualcreditreport.com or dial the toll free number at 877-322-8228.

·         Fraud Alerts can be placed on your credit reports but will fall off every 90 days. You will need to reactivate them on a regular basis. If you’re not willing to set aside the time to do so, there are companies that will set your alerts, removed you from junk mail lists and obtain your free credit reports for you…as well as “fix” the problem should someone steal your identity. The company that I personally subscribe to is LifeLock.com…the reason? I no longer want to go it alone! It’s a service I freely choose to pay for –just as I  let Jiffy lube change my oil, Taco Bell make my tacos and Danny –clean my pool. It’s a matter of personal choice and that’s why I love America!