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Depends.
Some contactless smartcard readers are deliberately adjusted to read only
cards that are very close to the reader (<12 inches). For instance,
in an application where a smartcard is being used to open a door, it would
not be desirable for that door to open because someone with a valid card
was standing in the vicinity. In other cases, readers can be adjusted
to access a card 100 feet away (go to OTI).
In this case, the field being generated is so strong that there is little
doubt that the signal would penetrate your clothing and wallet.
If
someone were attempting to surreptitiously access your card, they would
surely use a field strength capable of penetrating your personal attire.
For instance, if Airport Security wanted to log everyone with a contactless
smartcard as they moved through a terminal, a reader could be installed
that would contact all of the smartcards across the width of a corridor.
Smartcards are endowed with 'anti-collision' capabilities which allow the
reader to distinguish one card from another in a crowded field of cards.
In
short, the answer is; There are many readers that are not capable
of accessing your smartcard inside of your wallet or purse. However,
the readers you should fear the most will be capable!
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