Many Australians don't strictly need one. Your passport chip has its own built-in lock, and card skimming isn't something most people run into every day. An RFID-blocking wallet is a simple, low-cost way to stop unwanted scans of your tap-and-go cards, especially in crowded places. If your current wallet works for you and you're happy with that level of risk, you don't need to replace it.
This guide is written by TravelSmart. We sell RFID-blocking wallets, which is exactly why we want to be straight about what they do and don't do.
What RFID and NFC actually are
RFID (radio-frequency identification) lets a reader talk to a chip without touching it. Contactless bank cards, many ID cards and ePassports use 13.56 MHz, and payment cards use a short-range version called NFC that works over a few centimetres. That short range is why you hold your card right up to a payment terminal.
"Skimming" means someone uses a hidden reader to pull data from your card or passport chip without you knowing. An RFID-blocking wallet uses a shielding layer that stops readers reaching the chip while the card is inside.
Your passport: it has its own lock
An Australian ePassport has a chip that stores the details printed on the photo page, along with your photo. The chip is locked by a system called Basic Access Control: a reader first has to read the printed lines at the bottom of your photo page before the chip will share its data. That's how border systems open it. In practice, someone can't simply read your passport chip from inside your bag without having your passport open in front of them.
So a passport wallet's main job is physical: keeping your passport, cards and boarding pass together and protecting the passport from bent corners and spills. An RFID-blocking layer adds a second barrier for the chip and protects the contactless cards you keep alongside it.
Your contactless cards: lower risk than it sounds
Contactless card skimming gets plenty of attention online, but there are good reasons it isn't common:
- Range is tiny. A reader has to be within a few centimetres of your card.
- Each contactless payment uses a one-time security code, so data copied from a card can't easily be reused to make a new in-store payment.
- Australian banks monitor for fraud, and most will refund unauthorised transactions. Check your bank's terms.
None of this means it's impossible. Tap-and-go credit, debit and ID cards can still be read by a scanner held close to them. RFID blocking is a simple way to stop those unwanted scans. It works on its own, with nothing to switch on, so you don't have to think about it in busy airports, trains and markets.
When RFID blocking makes sense
- You travel through crowded airports, trains and markets and want one less thing to think about.
- You carry several contactless cards and would rather keep them shielded.
- You're buying a new wallet anyway, so RFID blocking is an easy extra to choose.
- You simply want peace of mind. That's a reasonable reason, as long as you know the size of the risk.
When you don't need it
- You pay mainly with your phone or watch. Phone wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay need your phone to be unlocked to pay.
- Your cards aren't contactless.
- Your wallet already blocks RFID. You don't need to add anything to it.
- You already own a wallet you like, keep it in a front pocket or a closed bag, and are comfortable with the low risk.
The downsides
Be aware of these before you buy:
- RFID blocking can stop a tap through the wallet. Take the card out and tap it as normal, including transit cards.
- If you keep a work access card or building pass in the same wallet, expect to take that out to tap too.
- A blocking layer doesn't protect against the more common risks: losing your wallet, pickpocketing, or someone watching your PIN.
For pickpocketing, a bag you wear at the front of your body, such as the SecureShield Anti-Theft Crossbody Bag (A$59.90), does more than RFID blocking does. Note that the crossbody bag itself isn't RFID-lined.
If you want RFID blocking, the cheapest ways to get it
- Keep your wallet and add a card. The TravelSmart RFID Shield Card (A$24.90) slips in next to your cards, with no batteries, apps or set-up. One Shield Card is designed to cover the cards in one wallet; packs of 2 (A$39.90), 4 (A$49.90) and 6 (A$64.90) cover several wallets.
- Choose an RFID wallet when you next replace yours. The Slimline RFID Wallet (A$59.90) holds up to 12 cards plus folded cash in a slim 11 × 8 × 1.5 cm bi-fold.
- For travel, use an RFID passport wallet. The Slim RFID Passport Wallet is A$39.90 and the RFID Passport Wallet is A$49.90.
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FAQ
Can someone skim my passport?
Not easily. The chip only opens after a reader has read the printed lines on your photo page, so it can't simply be read from inside your bag. An RFID-blocking passport wallet adds a second barrier and also covers the cards you keep with it.
Do I need an RFID wallet for overseas travel?
It isn't essential. Tap-and-go cards can be read by a scanner held close to them, and RFID blocking is a simple way to stop that in crowded airports and markets. A secure, close-to-body way to carry your valuables matters more for pickpocketing.
Does RFID blocking protect Apple Pay or Google Pay?
It isn't needed for them. Phone wallets need your phone to be unlocked to pay.
Will an RFID wallet stop my card from working?
Only while the card is inside. Take the card out to tap and it works normally.
Is an RFID Shield Card as good as an RFID wallet?
It's the cheapest way to add protection to the wallet you already have. One Shield Card is designed to cover the cards in one wallet, sitting next to your cards. If your wallet already blocks RFID, you don't need one.
What frequency does RFID blocking need to cover?
Contactless bank cards and ePassports use 13.56 MHz.