Can strangers read your NFC card while it's in your pocket?
No — not in any realistic scenario. NFC requires physical proximity under 4 cm, your pocket or wallet adds additional distance and material shielding, and even if read, the card contains only a public URL. It's not a meaningful privacy concern.
The physics of pocket reading
An NFC reader needs to be within 4 cm of the chip and generate a strong enough field to power the passive tag and receive its signal. Through jeans, a jacket, and a wallet, the effective range drops to near zero. Lab experiments show that very high-power readers can extend NFC range somewhat, but this requires specialized equipment, not a consumer smartphone.
Compare the risk to the reward
Even if someone succeeded in reading your card through your pocket, they'd get a public URL. Your NFC business card profile is public — you're sharing it intentionally with everyone you meet. There's no private data to extract. The scenario involves significant technical effort for zero practical gain.
Is this different for payment cards?
Yes. Contactless payment cards are a different concern — the data they transmit could enable fraud. This is why RFID-blocking wallets exist. Business card NFC doesn't have this problem.
Does a wallet provide any RFID protection for NFC cards?
Some attenuation, yes — material reduces signal strength. An RFID-blocking wallet provides near-total shielding. But again, there's nothing on a business card worth protecting.
Do I need an RFID-blocking wallet because of NFC business cards?
No. You might want an RFID wallet to protect payment cards. Your NFC business card doesn't change that calculation.