For Immediate Release:
Miami, FL (September 22, 2011) – Sometimes new technological advances come with a price. The expanded use of radio frequency identification chips (RFID) has put consumers at increased risk for identity theft. Many people are unaware that they even possess a credit card or identification card with RFID technology, nor do they know how to secure the data stored within the chip.
RFID technology is supposed to make life easier. It allows for important information to be stored in a small chip which can be embedded into a credit card, identification access card, passport, or even car keys. It replaces the older bar code or magnetic strip system, and is considerably more efficient. Anytime that a person pays with a keychain credit card that they only have wave near a gas pump, they are utilizing RFID technology. RFID chips are also used in ID cards which are waved instead in front of a scanner, rather than swiped though a reader. They are widely used for inventory tracking, in library books, hospitals, and even to pay tolls on highways.
There is one significant drawback to RFID, which is that it can be read by a hand-held device. A readily available portable scanner is all it takes for a criminal to steal credit card account details like the account number, expiration date, and security code without ever having to handle the card. There has been growing concern recently that thieves will be able to use the RFID technology embedded into car keys to remotely start – and steal – the vehicles. Hackers have also shown that they can steal access codes from corporate and government identification cards, which has potential for serious security breaches.
Since the use of RFID technology is only expanding, consumers are urged to learn how to protect themselves from electronic pickpocketing. According to the experts at Credit Protection Pro, the first step is the easiest one: do not leave keychains with credit cards on them laying around. Another precaution is to purchase a sleeve to protect keychain credit cards or a special wallet which shields the cards within from being scanned. An important proactive step consumers can take is to look into credit monitoring services to protect their credit in the event that their RFID cards are ever compromised. The best form of identity theft protection is always to take preventative, rather than reactive, measures.
For more information on the best credit monitoring services, visit http://www.creditprotectionpro.com/. They are a service dedicated to wiping out identity theft and credit fraud. Credit Protection Pro has information on all the latest identity theft scams and alerts on their website so that consumers can learn how to protect themselves. In addition, they offer independent professional reviews of credit monitoring services like Identity Guard. Contact Credit Protection Pro at [email protected] for more information on how to protect your credit score and identity.
Dean Richards
Credit Protection Pro
Miami, FL
800-769-2104
[email protected]
http://www.creditprotectionpro.com/
