There are devices that supposedly protect credit cards. I bought two "Signal Vault"s (after seeing it on Shark Tank). Sounded good. An RFID like device meant to scramble the "protected" cards' response to a reader.
Unfortunately, just watched this:
Soooo, apparently, the "Vault" cards don't work as advertised. USD$30 down the tubes.
The card protect sleeves DO seem to work, but what a pain to have to have one for each card and also deal with un-sleeving and re-sleeving every time you use it.
Does not appear to be a convenient protection scheme available yet.
Simple answer if foil stops it like in the sleeves then get a foil lined wallet (or make and sell one, I get 24%). In the real world you got to get pretty close and I can see the risks. But what about a vogue postman? they can spot a credit card letter a mile off and have access to cards all the time, ours drives a van all day and covers a large area. Would be easy to spend the lunch break in the van with the mail and a card reader .
Just applied for a job as a postman! Anyone willing to give me a good reference . Actually what would worry me more is the phone one, those with google wallet and all the other banking stuff on the phone, I have a friend who can unlock any password protected phone. I bet you wouldnt want him finding your lost phone
The chip is supposed to make it more difficult, when the readers are configured properly. Besides the card data, they contain a processor that generates a one time transaction code. If that code is used more than once, the transaction is rejected. Stolen cloned cards will not work. However, if the reader has EMV disabled -well you saw the results.
interesting info thanks, to me the bigger threat is the actual details, most online shops etc dont need much information. And I am pretty sure you could switch off or control the reader with a decent smart phone. I am kind of interested in a odd kind of way!