RFID chips are becoming a part of our lives. RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification Devices and they are tiny, passive radio transmitters that are placed in products to prevent theft and now in identification cards and credit cards to speed up transactions.

These passive transmitters lie dormant until activated by a nearby RFID reader that sends a strong radio current that powers them on and makes them send out their signal.

The double bars that you walk through at the deparment store are RFID readers and they send out a strong signal that makes the chips "speak".

In the same way gas stations have installed lower powered versions on gas pumps to read quick pay gas cards. Even Visa and Mastercard are getting into the act with RFID chips in some cards that let you swipe them near a terminal without touching it.

The new US Passports and those of several other nations contain RFID chips. All of this technology is fine and good if it is kept in the right hands but now hackers or identity thieves are maning their own portable readers that can be disguised as a briefcase, umbrella, or other object, that can read the chips in your wallet.

There have already been several cases of RFID identity theft. All a hacker has to do to build a device is look for plans on the internet and he can be stealing credit card numbers the next day.

Some people are protecting themselves by wrapping their credit cards in aluminum foil. This does work by creating a shield around the RFID chip, blocking the incoming activation signal.

A better and more convenient way is to use a RFID blocking wallet. These wallets contain a metal fiber mesh that makes a "cage" around the chip that radio waves cannot penetrate.

If you think this is all just tinfoil hat paranoia stuff you are mistaken. Chances are that right now you are walking around with a small radio transmitter on your person. If your credit card, passport or drivers license has a RFID chip your identity is at risk and you should consider doing something about it at once.

In addition to protecting your identity with a RFID blocking wallet you should sign up for an identity theft protection system, in case your wallet is lost of stolen. It does not take thieves long to use the contents of your wallet to establish credit and ruin your good name.