EC cards with NFC: prevent data theft and protect data - how it works

Credit and debit cards with integrated NFC chips have been around for several years. This practical tip shows you how to protect your data from thieves.

Debit cards with NFC: how easy is data theft?

• You can make contactless payments with NFC chips in credit and EC cards. PIN and signature are then no longer necessary. As a rule, this only works for small amounts under 25 euros.
• The NFC chips should spark a maximum of 4 cm. This prevents anyone from accidentally getting their cards too close to the cash register terminal. Some cards can also be read out with a handy reader over a distance of up to 20 cm.
• This is where the problem begins: Criminals can easily hold the reader to their wallets in their pockets for a few seconds. The data is read out and then transferred to a blank card with which the thief can then go shopping.

Protect EC cards from data theft with NFC

• To ensure that nobody can read and duplicate your EC or credit card unnoticed, you should shield cards with NFC. This works with special covers.
• Very thin wires are usually sewn into the sleeves, which interfere with the radio waves of the NFC chips. Access from outside is therefore no longer possible.
• The NFC sleeves usually cost less than one euro each. There are now also NFC wallets, so you don't need an additional case.

In the next practical tip, we will show you how to retrofit NFC and thus enjoy all the advantages of the standard.