Earlier this year, I posted about the RFID scam– the RFID is a tiny little data chip that stores information and sends off that information via radio waves. You need a special “reader” to grab the data wirelessly and read the information. Credit card companies, banks, and governments (for passports) are starting to add these RFID chips, saying it’s for our “security.” What a bunch of bunk Any crook can buy one of these readers at eBay! So much for security!

I am NOT happy with my cards promiscuously transmitting my data to every goofball with an RFID reader. I’ve had identity theft and it isn’t pretty.

So of course I’m elated to learn that a simple metal wallet will keep those readers from grabbing your data! Heh heh heh!!! The wallets are stainless steel, and they are PRICEY– about $100. Yow. See more at the geek site, Wired. So I came up with a little idea– why not wrap your wallet in tin foil? It would do the same thing. Actually, you can do this with your cell phone, too.

In your cell phone, there’s a small SIM card that is not supposed to transmit data or your conversations when you shut off your phone. But the government has a feature that can turn the microphone on, even when you have shut off your phone. Yes, it’s true! Look it up if you don’t believe me. There was a big court case here in New York, because the government was caught spying and listening to a mobster’s conversations when his cell was off.

So if you don’t care to have the FBI listening in on your conversations (and want to keep Grandma’s Secret Recipe a real secret), wrap it up in tin foil.

I just love geeks. lol.

I use a third-party software program for my passwords. I don’t like my web browser storing my most secret passwords! I’m concerned that an addon or some malicious program will read them. Somebody just came up with the idea to use a kind-of third-party software for online shopping. At least, that is how I see it. It looks good, and I am all in favor of Identity theft protection. I have had identity theft TWO TIMES. The first time was someone stole my bank account and made some charges. I had to file all these reports, and the police came over to do a report. It was so stressful! The second time, my credit card numbers were stolen. The data breach was discovered quickly, before any purchases were made on the card. It was a nightmare. I’m getting too old for this! The first incident is still a mystery. It was either an inside job by a crooked employee, or someone sniffed my bank numbers when I did some online stuff. It was scary.

So I’m very interested in something like StopShield. Has anyone tried it? I looked at the website and it is basically the middleman between your financial information and the online store. It replaces your credit card/bank information when you shop online or register at a web site. Your real data is never entered at the online stores you shop; instead, the data is stored at StopShield. So StopShield is like a middleman. The same thing with online registration– StopShield creates usernames, passwords, and anonymous email addresses for you (for free). This keeps all your personal information secure, since you aren’t distributing it to every Tom, Dick, and Harry who wants it. The StopShield website has loads more information and some videos that show exactly how this works.

My curiosity is piqued. Has anyone tried this? I’m a great proponent of third-party stuff like this. I’ve HAD IT with my data being stolen. My hair is getting gray fast enough! If you’ve got StopShield, please let me know, because this sounds great!

All this talk about identity theft and credit card insecurity has me wondering about that service called Lifelock. It’s no secret that credit card companies and banks are NOT securing our data. It is time to take matters into our own hands! I’ve heard plenty about Lifelock on the radio. They have their own website and it has amazing– and infuriating– stories about people who have had their information stolen. They are grateful they had Lifelock. Lifelock guarantees identity theft protection, up to a million dollars! I know that’s more than I’m worth, lol! But they also help out by reducing all those credit card offers and other junk mail that fill up our mailboxes, and they monitor credit scores for fraud, and more. It’s only $10 a month! It sounds like a terrific insurance protection service. Do you or anyone you know have Lifelock?