I-Team: RFID credit card thefts

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Take note of your surroundings while shopping this holiday.

Scammers are getting more high tech now they don't even need to touch your wallet to steal what's inside.

Holiday shopping is in full swing and as you weave through crowded shops, some people are waiting for you to let your guard down.

"It's scary because you know, they can take your identity," said Springfield's Cielito Ortiz.

New technology, called a radio frequency skimmer, has the ability to read some of your credit cards simply by holding it close to you.

Within seconds, your personal information is in someone else's hands.

Something Springfield Consumer affairs expert Milagros Johnson is warning people about.

"It's a big concern that someone may be carrying an RFID skimmer. Swipe it by your pocket and you may just have one or two credit cards but that information could be compromised and you would be totally unaware of it," said Milagros Johnson of the Springfield Office of Consumer Affairs.

Luckily, there are ways to protect yourself. You can block the radio waves by wrapping your cards in tinfoil.

Some banks are starting to encrypt your information, you can call your bank and find out if you're protected from this.

At least one shopper told 22News it's just another excuse for him to avoid the big crowds.

"I try to stay out of the stores as much as possible, that's what I do," said Rob Simard, Indian Orchard.

An idea for a Christmas gift: some stores sell radio frequency I-D wallets that would protect you, or you can buy smaller sleeves to keep your cards in.