June 3, 2025
| Valerie Hayes
| Business & Web Development, Health & Wellness, Thoughts & Ideas, Valerie Hayes, View All Articles & Photos
A skimmer scam has now become another thing to be aware of, and to deter. After learning to discern fake calls and emails from CRA, Amazon, shipping companies, and banks, this is an even more insidious, and invasive trick.
RFID tracking has been used legitimately in businesses for years. It is used for inventory management, asset tracking, and security.
For inventory, it allows businesses to track the location, and movement of inventory in real time thus reducing time, labour, and errors. It is especially useful in retail, so they know when stock levels are low on certain products.
For asset tracking, RFID tags can be attached to valuable assets, tools, equipment, and even vehicles. This helps protect against theft, misplacement, and disorganization.
When it comes to security, RFID chips can be embedded into employee access badges, if there is sufficient reason to restrict and monitor access to a building.
Supply chain management has used this technology to track products from manufacturing, to shipping, movement, and purchases of inventory throughout the system. It is also used in healthcare, and pharmaceuticals to track medications, and patient records.
As with all things that are useful, and help to organize complex systems, there can also be ways the technology is exploited. There is a whole new genre of high tech crooks, taking advantage of this type of technology.
The scam is carried out through RFID skimming, using a card reader. All they have to do is get close to you, and they can read information off your credit and debit cards. Both credit and debit cards now have embedded microchips. The contactless payment, or tap feature on a debit card, is what makes it most vulnerable to RFID skimming.
Radio frequency identification (RFID) involves the use of radio waves to read and capture information on embedded computer chips. Thieves can use small portable readers, to capture the information from the embedded computer chips without the victim knowing, and without them taking the card out of their wallet.
This information can then be used to make online purchases, or to make counterfeit cards. Some sources claim the risk is overstated because the criminal has to get close to the card, and apparently the information is encrypted to make it more difficult to read.
People are told to avoid crowds, public transport, and areas where there is a likelihood of card skimming. It is also worth noting that not all cards have RFID technology. The older cards with the magnetic stripe are less vulnerable.
This has brought another consumer product for specialized wallets that supposedly prevent the skimming. However, if the wallets are made of plastic, or polymers, they are not likely to be effective.
Leather wallets do not prevent RFID skimming, unless they are lined with foil, or have copper infused fabrics, or carbon fibre sheets. A quick check on Amazon shows RFID wallets ranging from $12-$60.
For RFID protection, you need metal. Whether you decide to wrap your cards with aluminum foil, or buy a special wallet, it is the metal that blocks radio waves. Metal is a good conductor of electricity, and will reflect or absorb the radio waves, preventing them from having access to your cards.
Metal is not 100% safe, depending on the power of the RFID reader, the proximity to your wallet, as well as the thickness of the metal surrounding your cards.
An idea is to use one or two metal business card holders for your cards, depending on how many cards you carry. They are small, compact, cheap, easy to open and close, and each one easily holds four cards. I have used one for years, and still have the same one.
The other tip is to put the card holder in a location on your person, not in a handbag. If you put it in a non-traditional location, the RFID reader may miss it. An inside breast pocket, or a small waist bag for the card holder, are not as typical places for wallets to be carried, compared to handbags for women, and back pockets for men.
Although there are claims this method of skimming and scamming is overstated, we can be sure that if it is possible, and already being done, it will only get more sophisticated, not less. I have heard many people talk about having this happen, without them knowing about it.
One woman in BC said their credit card was read, and then used for multiple purchases in Toronto. She and her husband believed it happened when her husband was travelling in BC. Neither one of them had been to Toronto, and were shocked to see all the charges from Toronto, to include multiple Uber and taxi rides.
During this conversation, several other women talked about similar incidents. This was just a random conversation in a local store, so it became clear to me that credit card information was somehow being intercepted without the person’s awareness.
Fortunately the use of metal, or special wallets is a fairly simple protection. The main thing to take note of is that not all wallets being sold, are effective.
In the meantime, we will have to check periodically to see if some mastermind develops an RFID reader that can penetrate metal.
This article was originally written in June. It is now December, and it appears the RFID skimmers are becoming stronger, and more prevalent. Apparently many of the wallets, and/or aluminum foil is not always adequate, because the RFID skimmers can be cranked up.
Many of the wallet sales claim to protect the cards, but for the most part they have not been tested. On Reddit various people have tested their cards inside the protective wallets, and found them to be ineffective.
You may read about faraday cages, which is named after Michael Faraday, the scientist who invented the technology in 1836. Faraday cages work on the principle of electrostatic induction. They are made of a conductive material that blocks the electromagnetic fields by distributing the electrical charges around the exterior. The electrons end up being redistributed, thus cancelling each other and protecting the interior.
There are many types of faraday cages, to include microwave ovens, the shielding on electronic cables, and various types of boxes, key fob holders, laptop bags, and wallets. A quick look on Amazon shows a wide variety of sizes, and uses for this technology.
Since crooks use RFID skimmers to read key fobs as well, so they can steal cars that have a keyless entry – a faraday cage key holder is probably a very good idea.
I suppose we all have to do a risk evaluation, and determine what kind of best practices we can implement to protect keys, gates, cards, and the devices we use on a daily basis. When I first learned about this, I did not realize the RFID skimmers could target passports, driver’s licenses, and transit cards as well.
Apparently criminals can quickly install RFID skimmers on ATM machines, and even self check-outs. It is advisable to use ATM’s during times the bank is open.
Without becoming totally paranoid, and depending on where you live, this is a topic to be aware of, and take measures to protect ourselves.
Just a decade ago, we did not see that many phishing scams. We might get targeted once in six months. Now we are getting phishing emails, phone calls, and text messages on a daily basis. As criminal technology becomes more sophisticated, we can expect to be subjected to more scams.
Keep a close eye on all of your accounts. Never respond to unsolicited texts, emails, or phone calls. When dealing with accounts, always be sure to be the one who is initiating the contact or login. Keep in mind, if someone is contacting you, they want something from you. When it comes to accounts and personal information, we are the ones who control what we do with our own information, not someone else. Once again, it is all about boundaries.
Don’t respond to enquiries or random job offers, or online surveys. After awhile you will notice patterns. A year or so ago, there were frequent CRA scam attempts. A few months ago, it was Amazon. Just this past week or so, I have been getting texts with remote job offers showing the Indeed logo. The text tells you to press Yes if interested. Even if you are interested in a remote job offer, do not respond. Go to a legitimate job posting site, and see what is there. Organizations do not usually send job offers to random people who are not looking for a job.
The risk of being scammed is increasing, so vigilance must also increase. It is like those trollers are out fishing, and they are doing what they can to bait, and hook us. I hope they get caught.
September 27, 2024
| Valerie Hayes
| Business & Web Development, Health & Wellness, My Story, Thoughts & Ideas, Valerie Hayes, View All Articles & Photos
The scams are rampant these days, and seem to be getting worse. Some of the most common ones:
CRA scams will target people, often seniors, advising the person of a deposit to be made, with a link to open. If they can get a person to pick up the phone, they might tell them they owe CRA money, and will try to instil fear. I think it is best not to answer CRA calls, and never open a link to deposit money to your account. Instead login to your CRA account and check to see if there is an outstanding balance.
Fake shipping scams via text or email, are also very common. They will have a fairly convincing looking copy of the company logo. If you are not expecting a package, you can be pretty sure it is a phishing scam. If you are expecting a package, rather than respond to the potential scam, login to UPS, Canada Post, or whatever, and use the tracking number to check.
There are also scams posing as Amazon, warning you about suspicious charges on your credit card. Ignore them, and check the card, as well as the order info on the Amazon website.
The rule of thumb, first and foremost, is not to take the bait. Delete the message. And go to the source separately from any messages you get.
Suspicious emails will often have a long string of characters, instead of a corporate identity. After awhile, you learn to recognize the layout, and return email when it comes to your bank, PayPal etc.
Probably the most concerning, is when they send you a text giving you the first or last numbers of an account, and then saying there is suspicious activity on the account. It is cause for concern, because they do seem to have the account number.
In that case, once again, login and check your account. Change the passwords, and security questions. Some banks will allow you to change from using your client card number, to a username. If a scammer has your client card number, it makes sense to change to a username, as well as changing your password.
Many of us have been scammed, myself included. There are some very deceptive tactics. Be especially cautious of Interac e-transfers. When I was scammed, it was due to an e-transfer. I had to change accounts, and send a notarized declaration to the bank, to say I did not give anyone access to the account.
After that, you have to change all the automatic deposits, withdrawals etc. So prevention is better than having to deal with the aftermath. Like any other form of invasion, or theft, it leaves you feeling vulnerable, and trying to figure out how it happened.
It is a good idea to clear the cache on your computer on a regular basis, and check all the security and privacy settings.
As far as online shopping, it might be a good idea to get a pre-paid Visa card, which can be set up in certain banks, and can also be purchased from Canada Post for $10. You can load the card at the post office, if you want to avoid doing so online using your bank information. The card seems to be secure with an online login, and detailed list of all transactions. You can use it like a regular card. When you are planning on making a purchase, or purchases, you can load the amount you need, and otherwise keep the balance low. I have never had a scammer contact me in relation to the Canada Post Visa, but have had scammers contact me re the standard MasterCard.
Although I have not had any direct experience, I have read there are fake taxi scams, where a person buys a taxi sign off Amazon, and then sits at an airport. That is pretty scary, to think you might inadvertently get into a stranger’s vehicle. They will then use your debit card to access your account.
Others have reported that cards can be scanned while they are on your person. Once again, this seems incredible. I use a metal business card holder for bank cards. I think one of the greatest vulnerabilities is the use of tap. It may be convenient, but it is too convenient. If someone manages to steal your card, they do not have to know the pin number, or anything in order to use it.
We have been lulled into a world of convenience. But when you get scammed, convenience goes out the window. It is very inconvenient to have to deal with a scam. Apparently it is also very difficult to catch the scammers.
It seems the best approach is to avoid responding to any unknown contacts. In my opinion, this includes online surveys, claims you have won a prize, robocalls, etc. Be highly suspicious of anything that tries to convey a sense of urgency, or demands a response.
We do not have to answer the phone when it comes to unknown callers. We do not have to respond to unsolicited text messages or emails. If we did not initiate the contact, chances are they want something from us.
Personally, I do not save passwords on any device due to the syncing, and hacking potential. I believe it increases vulnerability. I also believe it is important to be very cautious who you hire to file your taxes, and who you give access to when it comes to filing. Unless you have a very complex situation, it is probably best to file your own taxes. There is now some very good tax filing software that makes it easier to file, as well as to track any potential errors.
For those who have a lot of money, of course things are much more complicated, and likely, they will have sophisticated measures in place to protect their accounts.
But for the average Joe, we are sitting ducks, if we don’t use vigilance and care. Keep a list of your accounts, and check them frequently to stay on top of things. Never click on a link when you get an unsolicited email or text.
If someone makes a shipping error, and sends you something you did not order, wait and see what happens. It is difficult to contact an organization when you do not have a purchase order, a record of purchase, or payment.
We are not responsible for the incompetence of a business, that does not properly process, ship or track an item. If they send something you did not order, wait awhile, see if they send someone to pick it up, and then after three or four weeks, donate it. There have been scams that create a huge hassle for a person, in order to return a product to they can gain access to your account, over a shipping error.
Given all the addiction, and street crime, I think it is safer to keep bank cards, phone, and keys in a zippered pocket, or a fanny pack around your waist, as opposed to carrying a large hand bag when out walking. In some cases, it might be better to just bring one debit card, as opposed to a wallet full.
It is unfortunate to see such a rise in scams, and trickery. Yet we really cannot avoid the fact that all records are online. This includes all financial, and medical records, and websites we visit.
You will also notice how many websites offer something free. But in most cases, it is only a free trial, and after a 14-30 day period, they will be charging you full price. They want to get you hooked into the subscription.
Recently I answered an online questionnaire about shoulder pain. The website claimed they would help identify the problem free of charge. I knew darn well, they would get you to answer thirty questions, then ask for money at the end, before telling you anything.
So just to see, I answered the questions, and sure enough, at the end, they wanted money, even though they advertised it as free. Unless you want to waste your time, don’t fall for the free ads. But what it did for me, was it helped identify the specific movements that caused the pain. Then after I narrowed it down, I was able to see that it was likely a rotator cuff injury.
When I thought about it, I realized how I got the injury lifting and moving container plants. So I evaluated anything that might worsen it, and stopped doing anything to cause strain, as well as started exercise to help with range of motion.
In addition to being vigilant over financial institutions, we also have to be vigilant over our health, because the system is overloaded as it is. I know there are many people who discredit any attempts to self-diagnose. But I think if it is something you can evaluate, and then take measures to see if it will improve – why not?
Some people adamantly believe in yearly check-ups, taking doctors advice as gospel, taking whatever prescription medication they are prescribed, and going through whatever diagnostic tests they are told to go through.
Once again, I think it is wise to maintain autonomy, and evaluation over our own health. If we have something seriously wrong, we will have to go to a doctor or hospital. We know our own body better than anyone else does. Once you notice something is off, it means we need to evaluate the cause, and change something to see if it improves.
Just like it is not a good idea to turn our financial matters over to every scam or contact, we should also be wary of drug promotions, and turning our physical selves over to the system, if we can help it.
It is not a matter of rejecting all things, but rather, sharpening our discernment, and making careful choices, based on what we are experiencing and observing. Some people turn themselves over to a doctor, like they would take a used car to a mechanic, and say “fix it”.
However, personal responsibility means exercising caution, and good judgement. We all make mistakes, and worse yet, we can all be deceived, or misled. It is not to suggest that certain diagnostic tests, and certain medications are not beneficial, the same as not all deals, or sales are scams.
We just have to become more adept at filtering, and sorting the good from the bad. I think we also need to trust our intuition, and gain confidence in our own better judgement. Experts are not always experts, and advice is not always sound advice. I think we should always be able to take it or leave it when it comes to our own lives, health, and ability to steer clear of trouble.
