Getting back to RFIDs, there is no doubt cybercrime is increasing. I purchased some of those sleeves for both credit cards as well as my passport and here is the reason: Although during my 2013 walk I never used plastic to make purchases, paid for everything in cash, I ONLY used my bank card to withdraw money from ATMs and I ONLY used ATMs that were inside and I was ALWAYS extremely careful to shield my information from view. One day (I had just reached Sarria) my husband called from the States to tell me our bank's fraud department had contacted him because someone had attempted to book a plane ticket for a flight to Mexico, using MY card number. Prior to leaving the country, I had alerted my bank about my travel dates, and how I planned only to use the card to withdraw cash at the ATM, never for purchases. This was not a card I had ever used online either... So, how and where did someone acquire my card number? Fortunately, this particular card was attached to an account that my husband would load for me as needed, and at the moment the thief tried to use the number online, there was not enough money in the account for a plane ticket. But nobody can answer the question of how someone got ahold of my card number. There is an interesting video on the website of a company that sells RFID protection and it shows how vulnerable we are to what is basically a form of cyber pickpocketing. I researched those little sleeves, found some inexpensive ones online and decided against the DIY version, although I understand aluminum foil does work... I do not ever want to go through something like that again...you cannot imagine how it felt to know someone had gotten access to my card number and to wonder about how else I could be vulnerable. Since then, all my plastic money travels inside one of those little sleeves. It's a small price to pay for the extra peace of mind. Before this happened, I would have thought this sort of protection unnecessary too. Google this stuff. You may be surprised to find out what can really happen in this world.
but you're right, the difference is fabulous! Like walking at all times in the shade. It was 35 deg here too.
