RFID

Keep Yourself Safe During The Holiday Season

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Every year, we hear about the same holiday safety tips – don’t drive tired, don’t drive drunk, assume every other driver is drunk and/or tired, etc. Those are all good ideas to keep in mind year-round. Occasionally, we’ll hear one that’s specific to the season, like how frying turkey in the driveway is as dangerous as it is delicious, and it’s also not something to try while drinking or overly tired. Unfortunately, this time of year is also one of financial dangers, many of which you won’t hear about on the morning news or read about in the paper.  Take some time, read our tips, and hopefully you won’t be a holiday victim. 

Keep an eye on your surroundings – Crowded malls and shopping centers are a savory opportunity for pickpockets.  You’re expecting to get bumped and won’t notice one more jostle in a day full of them.  If you do recognize you’ve been robbed, the thief can probably get away into the crowd, disappearing like a needle in a haystack.  Purses should be worn across the body, wallets kept in the front pocket or inside a closed jacket.  Consider leaving the house with the bare minimum, such as your driver’s license or ID, health insurance card and our debit card – which offers fraud protection and security features not available with cash. 

RFID, RFID, RFID – Today’s pickpockets don’t need to take your wallet to cause you problems, because many modern debit and credit cards emit RFID signals with personally identifying information.  If any of your cards have a chip, then you need to account for them. Check our RFID wallet guide for some tips. In a pinch, you can wrap chipped cards in two layers of aluminum foil, which will offer you protection from high-tech pickpockets, but you may get some bewildered stares or questions from folks at the register.

 

Don’t leave checks in the mailbox – At some point, we all learned not to use those colorful envelopes that tell thieves which cards might have checks in them, but we never learned the next step: Don’t put checks in the mailbox at all.  It’s not hard for thieves to grab stuff out of the outgoing mail, whether it has the power company’s name on it or is shaped like a holiday card.  Drop all checks into a big blue mailbox, bring them into your post office branch, or hand them to your postal carrier in person.  By the way, this tip should be followed year-round, and you might want to consider setting up our online bill pay feature to minimize the number of checks you write, as well. 

Understand the dangers of every form of payment – Every form of payment has its dangers.  Cash is portable and untraceable, so it’s a target for thieves.  Cards without EMV chips are in danger from skimmers built into the card reader at registers (like what happened at Target).  EMV cards can be skimmed by people with specialized equipment who bump up next to you.  All cards, cash and mobile phones are in danger of being stolen.  Some experts are even saying that check fraud will be the most dangerous type of identity theft over the next five years.  Even if you attempt to return to agrarian-era bartering, an enterprising thief could run off with the cow you were going to trade for an Old Navy gift card.

Take a breath, recognize the dangers and take reasonable precautions. Do you know what kind of fraud protection you have on each of your credit cards?  Any card about which you’re unsure needs to stay home until you find out.  Unsure about a small boutique’s cyber security? Bring cash. 
Bring your own bag – Shopping bags are a great way for stores to advertise, but they also advertise to thieves.  “This overburdened, overtired, potentially unwary individual is carrying goods from all of these stores,” the bags say “some may even have receipts in them and might have been paid for with cash.” Don’t make it easier for thieves. Instead, bring a tote bag that zips up if you have one, or your canvas grocery bags if you don’t. 
Take a trip to the car – Carrying too much is asking for trouble.  It makes you less mobile, you’re less likely to feel someone remove an item from your bags, and even if no one hassles you, it’s a good way to end up with back pain.  If you’re enduring a marathon trip to the mall, take time every few stores to take your purchases out to the car. Keep receipts in your wallet and take pictures of the bags you put in your trunk (where thieves can’t see), so even in the worst possible scenario, your car insurance can cover the loss of your shopping from a car thief.
Plus, you’ll have less to carry, you’ll get some exercise, and the cold air can help you clear your head to decide if you need to purchase anything else.  Not a bad way to keep from overspending! 
Buy yourself a holiday drink from the coffee shop – You’re probably safer if you’re alert, but that’s just an excuse.  Holiday coffee drinks are delicious, you want one, and we just gave you an awesome excuse to justify the everyday luxury of a peppermint mocha to yourself.  You’re welcome. 
January is coming, be ready – If you’re going to binge on holiday shopping in December, you’ll need to purge in January.  Keep all of your receipts and do an extra-careful reconciliation of your accounts in January.  Be ready to spend a few afternoons making phone calls to make sure every charge is correct and accounted for.  Make sure to check your credit report in January as well.  While you’re checking your credit and your accounts, take the opportunity to start the new year off right:  you have your financial info gathered already, you have your credit report in front of you and your W-2s are starting to show up, so it’s time to do three things:
  1. File your taxes.  Don’t get mad at us, it’s not our fault.  We’re only reminding you to do it early because you’ll already have most of what you’ll need, so getting your homework done on Friday will give you the rest of the weekend off. And don’t forget to have any refund directly deposited to your Destinations account.
  2. Rework your debt.  You have every one of your credit card and other account statements in front of you, so it’s time to make some calls.  For your higher interest cards, it’s time to pay them down, transfer the balances to a MasterCard at Destinations Credit Union or negotiate a lower rate.  This is easier if you’ve got some cash in hand, possibly from the tax refund you now know you’re getting.  You can also take this time to explore using your home equity to eliminate some of the high-interest cards. 
  3. Set up a Holiday Club for 2016.  Alright, you just saw how much money you spent this holiday season.  Next year, resolve to do it all without taking on unnecessary debt.  You’ll save a ton of money and a ton of stress.  The best way to do that is with one of our Holiday Club accounts.  Use this year’s budget as a guide. Next year will be a breeze.

And that’s it.  It sounds like a lot, but it’s really taking the same level of vigilance you would use for normal shopping and increasing it to correspond with the increased spending of the season.  For a good rule of thumb, maybe we should just establish the “3-Mariah” rule:  Once you hear Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” for the third time on any day, you have to go home – you’ve either spent too long at the mall, or your brain has been turned into holiday slurry and you can no longer be trusted to remain vigilant.  Three Mariahs and you’re out.

Check Fraud & Swiss Cheese

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Just about every article you read about fraud, security and identity theft is based on the idea that with increased technology comes increased security.  In fact, we do everything we can to bring as much cutting edge technology to your defense as possible. Unfortunately, some of the greatest vulnerabilities in your security come from low-tech attacks.

Think about it this way: A dedicated criminal wanting to get into your checking account has to spend thousands of dollars on an RFID skimmer, a device to crack your PIN, and other technological marvels out of a “Mission: Impossible” movie, but when they get access, our fraud protection kicks in after only a very small expenditure.  So, why would a criminal spend thousands of dollars when they could get the same benefits from spending $5 on a blunt object with which to threaten you physically? Why steal RFID signals out of the air when you can pick pockets and shop online?  Why go high-tech and hassle with all our security experts when a criminal can go low-tech and wait for you to slip up?

It helps to think of your financial security as a metaphorical block of Swiss cheese.  Every layer of security may have a few holes, just like every step you take to protect yourself has holes.  The idea is that, if we put enough layers of cheese on top of each other, we can make sure that none of the holes go all the way through the cheese, leaving you vulnerable.  In that spirit, we’ve identified a low-tech hole in the cheese, and we’re putting down another layer.  We’d like to make sure you put down some cheese, too.

Check fraud is still a major problem, and it could get worse as EMV chips and software security make ATM and point of sale transactions more secure.  Check fraud is an umbrella term for a variety of strategies scammers use, ranging from creating blank checks on computer software to stealing and using old checkbooks.  Your checkbook is a source of fraud vulnerability for many of these strategies, but the ways to protect yourself are fairly simple. 

1.) Treat your checkbook like cash.  The easiest thing to do is to just not give thieves access to your checks.  You wouldn’t put an envelope of cash in your mailbox with the flag up, would you?  Then don’t do it with a utility check.  If you’re going to mail a check, drop it into a blue USPS box on your way to work.  You can also see what’s available to pay online.  Our online services are really impressive, and if you set up an automatic payment through us or use our online banking, you never have to mail a check again.

 2.) Balance your checkbook every month.  It may seem like a chore, but balancing your checkbook is the easiest way to make sure you’re the only one spending your money.  We have special buttons built into our online account view to make this as easy as possible. If you want a little personal guidance, come talk to us and we’ll walk you through the process.  It’s easier than it looks. If it takes you forever every month, you might not be using all of our features! Call Destinations Credit Union at 410-663-2500 and we’ll help you make the process much easier. 

3.)  Destroy your old checkbooks and order new ones regularly.  For whatever reason, you might have found yourself with old checks lying around.  Maybe you were running low on checks and ordered a new checkbook but decided not to finish the old one  because they came so quickly. Maybe you’ve moved and didn’t bother to finish the set with your old address. If that’s the case, destroy them.  It’s worth the cost of a checkbook or the effort of a few minutes at the office shredder to keep from leaving yourself vulnerable. Also, don’t put your driver’s license number on the checks when you order them.  It might take a few extra minutes at the register, but that inconvenience is a lot worse for a scammer holding your checkbook than it is for you.  If you need to order a new checkbook, you can do it here:  https://orderpoint.deluxe.com/personal-checks/home.htm. 

It’s a different world for your checkbook than it was even a few years ago. Nationally, we’re writing fewer checks in fewer places and many of us don’t carry a checkbook at all.  Across the country, speech teachers are showing “I Have a Dream” to their students and they have to pause the video to explain what a promissory note is and why Dr. King is talking about writing a check for freedom. They may seem old-fashioned, but that’s exactly why they represent such an important vulnerability in your financial security:  They’re just paper and ink.  No chips to crack, no PIN, no online security protocols.  Don’t let your Swiss cheese have holes that go all the way through. Protect yourself from check fraud.
Sources:

http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2008/05/19/frank-abagnales-tips-on-avoiding-check-fraud
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0159-fake-checks#Youandyourbank
http://www.ckfraud.org/ckfraud.html

The Best RFID-Blocking Wallets For Women

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We recently brought you information about the best RFID-blocking wallets for men. Today, we have a review of the best RFID-blocking wallets for women, who have far more options in terms of styles, looks, and formality. If you’d like to read the previous installment, click here http://blog.destinationscu.org/2015/08/the-best-rfid-blocking-wallets-for-men.html.  In it, you can learn about what RFID is and why you need a wallet that blocks the signals from your cards.


Here are our top choices for four very different kinds of card-protecting options:

Women’s Trifold Wallet

by Access Denied ($55.95-$66.95)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I0EI5DC/ref=s9_hps_bw_g193_ir14?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-9&pf_rd_r=00V8ZFC3J61Y0K0DD90X&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1925055922&pf_rd_i=7218758011

Our first option is one of the most basic wallets offered to women that is also capable of holding everything while still looking fashionable. The Access Denied trifold wallet has space for your cash, cards, passport and checkbook, so you know that this wallet can handle whatever you need for your day. It’s also available in a variety of neutral tones and common purse colors to coordinate with your everyday bag. It’s hard to find this much convenience and variety under $60.


That said, if you’re a fan of high-quality leather, you might be put off by the lack of full or top-grain leather with this wallet. If that’s something that upsets you, be warned that this guide is very light on such top-flight materials, because the wallet manufacturers don’t seem to use them very often for RFID wallets. If you want to step into high-quality leather goods that keep your identity safe, you’re going to be paying a lot of money.

RFID-Blocking Secure Ladies Mini-Trifold

By ID Stronghold ($49.99)

http://www.idstronghold.com/RFID-Wallet-Ladies-IDSH7105.asp 


Identity Stronghold has an inexpensive wallet that should fit into any purse.  If you want the convenience and storage options of a much bigger wallet, the Identity Stronghold Mini-Trifold has a zippered coin pouch, credit and ID card slots and a pocket for your cash.  The faux-reptile leather finish is a stylish touch that Jane Birkin would appreciate because, unlike the Hermes Bag named for her, no alligators were harmed in making it.  


The wallet comes in a few different faux-reptile finishes, ranging in color tone from muted purple to the bright red pictured here.  It’s deceptively stylish for the price.
 

RFID-Blocking Cross Body Bag (Left)

by Travelsmith ($99.00)

http://www.travelsmith.com/travelsmith-rfid-blocking-crossbody-purse/travel-accessories/security-bags-belts-wallets/rfid/778503?defattrib=&defattribvalue=&listIndex=4

RFID-Blocking Double Frame Clutch (Right)

by Travelsmith ($68.99)

http://www.travelsmith.com/travelsmith-rfid-blocking-double-frame-clutch/sale-clearance/clearance/new-to-clearance/travel-gear/800288?isCrossSell=true&strategy=76

Another option is to find a small bag that you like and use it for carrying your wallet. Both of these options from luggage maker Travelsmith offer full RFID protection for everything within the bags, including credit cards, IDs and passports. Like the Access Denied trifold wallet above, these bags are available in a variety of colors to suit just about any taste.


If you find the idea of moving away from a beloved bag or purse unappealing, the chain straps can be removed from either of the Travelsmiths and the bags can be used as wallets. Each bag comes with some organizational features, but if you want everything to have a place, you may find the lack of dedicated pockets frustrating.

Fine Art RFID-Blocking Card Sleeves

by Armored Wallet ($9.50)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I9K68AY/ref=asc_df_B00I9K68AY3835448/?creative=394997&creativeASIN=B00I9K68AY&linkCode=df0&tag=wwwshopstylec-20&ascsubtag=1586119148 


Finally, we have the option for anyone who would like to keep their current wallet or purse, regardless of style preference or gender. These inexpensive sleeves wrap around your cards individually to protect them from skimmers and look great while doing it. Armored Wallet offers a variety of colors and prints featuring classic works of art. There’s something to be said for the unique touch of carrying classic art in your wallet, and even more to be said for protecting yourself while getting change back from a $10 bill.


The masterpieces featured on the sleeves come mostly from European impressionists like Van Gogh and Monet, and don’t extend much past the paintings you might have had as a dorm poster in your college days. So, if you were hoping for Klimt or Kandinsky, you’re out of luck.


In the end, your choice will be dictated by your personal style. If you’re an upscale fashionista, you may be disappointed with the season’s offerings; among Saks 5th Avenue, Nordstrom, Barney’s New York, and Coach, not a single RFID-blocking women’s wallet can be found. If you prefer simplicity, you might want to check out the men’s wallets, most of which claim to be unisex. If, however, you’d rather save money and protect yourself from identity theft than look good on the runway, you have your choice of a vast number of styles and colors. Whichever you choose, make sure you find a way to protect your cards, even if that means wrapping them in tinfoil until you can find a suitable and fashionable alternative.

Sources: 
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/dont-let-them-scan-you-blocking-rfid-chips/   
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/back-pain-cure-it-by-cleaning-out-your-wallet/

http://money.cnn.com/2015/07/29/luxury/jane-birkin-hermes-bag/

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I0EI5DC/ref=s9_hps_bw_g193_ir14?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-9&pf_rd_r=00V8ZFC3J61Y0K0DD90X&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1925055922&pf_rd_i=7218758011

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I9K68AY/ref=asc_df_B00I9K68AY3835448/?creative=394997&creativeASIN=B00I9K68AY&linkCode=df0&tag=wwwshopstylec-20&ascsubtag=1586119148

http://www.travelsmith.com/travelsmith-rfid-blocking-double-frame-clutch/sale-clearance/clearance/new-to-clearance/travel-gear/800288?isCrossSell=true&strategy=76

http://www.travelsmith.com/travelsmith-rfid-blocking-crossbody-purse/travel-accessories/security-bags-belts-wallets/rfid/778503?defattrib=&defattribvalue=&listIndex=4

http://www.idstronghold.com/RFID-Wallet-Ladies-IDSH7105.asp

The Best RFID-Blocking Wallets For Men

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By the end of the year, you’re going to be carrying some brand new tech in your wallet. That is, if you aren’t already doing so. The major credit card companies have all moved to chip-and-PIN cards, which use Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) to prevent fraudulent transactions and keep your data safe. Unfortunately, the cutting edge technology that makes your transactions more secure at the register also decreases your security everywhere else. That’s because scammers can steal radio signals from the air and use your credit card information and then go on a shopping spree before you know anything’s wrong.

  

When RFID passports were released in the UK, scammers had broken into them within 48 hours. That’s enough to scare even the most tech-ignorant among us.

  

To combat this vulnerability, you need a wallet that can protect your identity by blocking those radio signals, which many new wallets can do by simply adding a layer of metal that goes entirely around your wallet. So many new wallets can protect you from scammers that you might find the choices overwhelming, particularly if you’re the kind of guy who uses a velcro trifold style wallet. We’ll walk you through your choices and pick the best one for each category, based on style, security, and price, because there’s no point in buying a wallet so expensive you have nothing to put in it.

  

Here are our top choices for three very different kinds of wallets:

Front Pocket Wallet in Bison Leather

by Herrington ($49.95)

  

If you don’t carry much cash or the idea of sitting on metal plates bound in leather sounds uncomfortable, you might be in line for a front pocket wallet. Back pocket wallets have been linked to sciatica and other forms of chronic back pain, so carrying a few cards in your front pocket may be the best long-term choice you can make for both your financial and physical health.

Herrington’s front pocket wallet is curved to fit into the front pocket of your pants without bouncing around or disrupting the lines of your outfit. The handsome Bison leather is masculine and stylish, so you won’t be embarrassed to pull it out at a business lunch or on a date.

The wallet is manufactured in Maine out of multiple layers of material that create a Faraday cage for preventing radio signals from escaping and therefore allowing skimmers to get at your cards.  

  

 

The Ridge Wallet ($45-$115)

   

If you want something even slimmer, you may be interested in one of the all-metal wallets that have taken over Kickstarter in the last few years. These wallets wrap your cards in layers of metal held together with a nylon band or screws and look like incredibly modern, wallet-sized Swiss Army knives. Some even have fold-out extensions to hold keys, USB drives or very small pens!

Our choice among the modern, minimalist, metal wallets opts for simplicity. The Ridge Wallet doesn’t have key rings or add-ons, just a simple wallet with a clean look. Ridge offers four different materials ranging from the youthful and inexpensive polycarbonate, which comes in a variety of bright hues, all the way to pricey and indestructible titanium in various shades ranging from gray to black. If you want a wallet sleek and cool enough for Batman, but you don’t want to carry an entire utility belt, you want a black titanium Ridge Wallet.
  

Derrick RFID-Blocking Flip ID Bifold

Manufacturer: Fossil

Price: $45

It’s tough to argue with the classic bifold. With ample room for cards and cash, a classic design certain to fit any outfit, and all the features you’ve always enjoyed, a leather bifold wallet is a traditional men’s accessory that never goes out of style. 
Fossil offers a selection of RFID-blocking wallets that don’t look too technical or modern, with the Derrick bifold at the top of the list for its combination of looks, materials, and price. The RFID-blocking material is sewn into the lining, so you won’t feel like you’re sitting on a phone book, but you’ll still be protected. The Derrick bifold is the kind of wallet you can buy now and not think about for a few decades, which tends to be the way most men buy wallets.  

  

 

Altoids tin

Manufacturer: Altoids

Price: $3

   

If you’re looking for a budget option, or a stopgap security solution while you shop, you can always keeps your cards in an Altoids tin. The thick metal is an effective Faraday cage that offers top-flight security at a price that can’t be beat. Just don’t be surprised if people are quick to comment how fresh your cards smell!
In the end, you’re going to have to decide what matters to you. Unlike other fashion items, you’ll carry your wallet every day, and you probably don’t want to replace it very often. It’s up to you to weigh fashion, security and comfort and come to a decision for your own peace of mind. The only thing you need to make sure of is that you don’t leave your financial information available for motivated scammers to steal.
Please note:  Destinations Credit Union is planning to convert to the “Chip” cards in early 2016.

Sources: