Tapping your card for small payments has become second nature rather quickly. In fact, it’s become so popular one UK bank is overhauling what we bank cards look like all together. Of course, some of us might not even be using cards any more considering we can use smartphones and wearables to pay for purchases. Typing a pin number gets added to the list of first world problems we’ve finally solved but with added convenience often comes added risk.
Where’s there’s risk there’s opportunity which inspired Dutch gadget makers to create the RFID blocking Secrid cardslide wallet.
Are Contactless Payment Cards Safe?
Tapping your card is generally pretty safe. Not many know this, but using your smartphone is actually safer, which is why you can tap your smartphone for payments over the €30 payment limit. In fact, I’ve tapped my smartphone for payments in excess of €500. But that’s smartphones, cards are a little less secure.
It is great to be able to tap and go when picking up small bits and pieces, I think everyone can agree with that. Such a convenience doesn’t require a pin number or authentication. There are security measures in place along with some policies that protect you from scammers, but still, there’s a risk when convenience starts to enter the picture.
Thieves have developed a method of exploiting the nature of RFID, the technology which makes fast and convenient contactless payments possible. Imagine you’re on a packed Luas. In theory, a scammer can come alongside you and discreetly tap a device against your wallet without you even noticing. In that moment, they’ll have swiped the maximum €30 from your card. This is why Secrid wallets are a fantastic idea.
What is the Secrid Cardprotector Wallet?
Secrid is a simple and stylish Dutch solution to the problem. I’m in a good position to write the Secrid wallet review given I’ve been using mine for nearly two years now. The Secrid wallet utilises titanium design to protect your cards from would-be thieves with RFID scanners. The wallets also protect your cards from you, encasing them in a hard shell, stopping you bending and breaking them when you sit on them.
Then there’s the cardslide feature of the wallet. One flick of a button on the bottom of the cardslide wallet and all your cards shoot out ready for you to pick what you need. Don’t worry, they stay cascaded in the wallet for you to pick and don’t get ejected across the room.
There is a wide range of Secrid wallets to choose from, with designs that can hold over 10 cards, coins keys and loads more. To be hypercritical, they don’t hold many coins unless you opt for their new Cardslide range. This comes with a much larger compartment for coins and notes.
How much does a Secrid wallet cost?
You are looking at around €60 for a Secrid wallet, but they are gorgeous, premium feeling wallets which you can expect to impress others and last for a very long time.
