Thomas Slatcoff Blog

Thomas Slatcoff May 13, 2024

SLATCOFF SECURITY CONSULTANCY

“Be Proactive, Not Reactive with your security.” 

Identity theft is a severe problem that can lead to financial loss, job loss, harm to one’s economic status, and even legal issues. It is crucial to safeguard Personal Information and closely monitor one’s financial accounts to identify any suspicious activity.

What Are Identity Theft and Identity Fraud? 

Identity theft and identity fraud are terms used to refer to all types of crime in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person’s data in some way that involves fraud or deception, typically for economic gain. (Criminal Division U.S. Department of Justice https://www.justice.gov/criminal/criminal-fraud/identity-theft/identity-theft-and-identity-fraud)

What is an RFID – Radio Frequency Identification?

RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification, a technology that uses tiny computer chips (microchips) smaller than a grain of sand to track items at a distance. Uses for this technology are

Commerce

Transportation and Logistics

Public Transport

Infrastructure Management and Protections

Passports

Transportation Payments

Animal Identification

Human Identification

In 2006, the United States of America Department of State started placing this technology in its passports. The chip stores the same information printed on the passport, including the passport picture. 

The financial sector of the United States of America issues credit cards and debit cards using RFID technology. The chip stores personal identification information about the assigned card user and the financial account.

Is there a reason to be concerned about Identity Theft related to the chip? Yes.

Why? Because of RFID Skimming. 

RFID Skimming is a form of digital theft, electronic pickpocketing. The information on the chip can be read and duplicated. Typically, an RFID reader is used to illegitimately read the chip from a distance, downloading the Personal Information. The stolen data is used to make a new, counterfeit card. The criminal can use the counterfeit card to charge your account.

What is the safeguard for electronic pickpocketing – RFID Skimming?

Block the radio signals from the chip by shielding your credit card or passport chip. You block the radio signals by enclosing your credit card or passport with a sleeve that blocks electromagnetic signals.

Protect your Identifying Information and other personal information from electronic pickpocketing with an RFID Protective Sleeve from SLATCOFF AND COMPANY LLC, embossed with an area for emergency contact information.

The sleeve creates a shield that blocks the ability to power and communicate with the RFID chip, protecting personal Information and other Information stored on the chip.  

Also, embossed for Emergency Contact Information, it is designed to hold your state driver’s license or an official identification card. Placing your emergency contact information in the embossed area will expedite law enforcement or medical emergency services to contact your designated emergency contact, facilitating notification and assistance during an emergency.

For more information about the RFID protective sleeve, go to SLATCOFF.com.

Contact us! Call, Text, or email today! 

850.867.2817 contact@SLATCOFF.com

SLATCOFF SECURITY CONSULTANCY 

A Division of SLATCOFF AND COMPANY LLC