Do RFID Blocking Cards Actually Work?
Do RFID blocking cards actually work?
Short answer: well-designed ones do block a contactless reader from scanning your cards, and that can be tested. The bigger question is how likely it is that someone would try to scan you in the first place. That risk is lower than the marketing around these products often suggests.
What a blocking card does
Contactless cards use a chip that responds when it is near a reader at 13.56 MHz. A blocking card is designed to stop that response so a reader cannot communicate with the cards beside it.
What the SignalVault test showed
SignalVault was tested at 13.56 MHz by Qualtest, Inc. (now N.T.S.), an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory, in November 2014. The laboratory confirmed the reader worked, then scanned a test card with the SignalVault placed behind it and in front of it. Both versions tested passed every step. Read the full test results.
What this does not prove
- It does not mean every blocking product works. Quality varies, so look for stated frequency and testing you can read.
- It does not mean you will be targeted. Contactless payments also use security measures that make copied data hard to reuse.
- It does not protect you from data breaches, phishing, or compromised card readers at gas pumps and ATMs.
Who benefits from one
People who want an inexpensive extra layer, people who carry contactless cards in crowded places, and anyone who prefers not to rely on their card issuer alone. It is an optional precaution, not a substitute for transaction alerts and watching your statements.
Frequently asked questions
Can someone really steal my card by walking past me?
It is considered uncommon. Reading a card from a distance is difficult and the data collected is limited.
How do I know a blocking card works?
Check for independent test results that name the frequency, the lab, and the method. SignalVault publishes its results.
Do I still need transaction alerts?
Yes. Alerts and card locks are the most practical protection against fraud of any kind.