You may have heard different information about whether or not the new Canadian passports can be scanned by electronic devices. These new scanners seem to be on the rise and are being used by ‘thieves’ to steal people’s information from credit cards and siimilar items, even from several feet away.
For those who may not be aware of the issue relating to this issue, there has been a dramatic rise in the frequency of use of electronic technology to read the information from the radio frequencies on the chip cards (RFID) that have taken over the credit card and related industries.
These devises can easily retrieve information from a distance, apparently up to 12 feet away. An entirely new industry has spawned to protect these cards from those electronic readers as a result.
While the new Canadian epassports will utilize this RFID process, officials assure us that no additional passport wallet will be required to protect information that is contained on the document.
In order for it to be read by someone trying to gain that information, they would have to be within ten centimetres of the reader. In addition to that the passport book would actually have to be opened to Page 2 at the time where the most sensitive information is contained.
Passport Canada suggests that it is extremely unlikely that information that resides on the chip can be captured without your knowledge.
However RFID chip protection for your credit cards and other similar information containing units should be shielded.
The problem is severe and growing.
The scanning devices are not that expensive and theives are now using them more and more.
To top that off, as a expose on CBC recently reported, a free app can be loaded onto your cellphone that can do the same theft from your wallet and then use the information immediately to purchase product.
This makes it scary.
What is the solution? RFID protection products. You can see any number of them online at Journeystravelgear.
At first this was a problem that seemed to be confined to the major tourist cities of the world. That is no longer the case. It is becoming pervasive even in Canada and the rest of North America.
In addition to RFID protection products, online at Journeys you can find a broad range of travel accessories, luggage, men’s and women’s travel clothing, handbags and regular wallets, and other travel security items.
Send your travel questions or travel comments to [email protected] Book travel online at www.renaissancetravel.ca
