Leeds, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/17/2015 -- An enterprising Leeds Beckett University student has launched an online crowdfunding campaign in a bid to raise more than £3,000 to manufacture and sell an innovative wallet which protects against contactless bank card theft.
Ibbe Raja, aged 21, is a BSc (Hons) Computing undergraduate, who is currently undertaking a placement year. He has teamed up with his brother Jalil Raja, 19, and friend Sam Andrews, 20, to create 'Vinco' – an ultra-thin wallet that protects against Radio Frequency ID (RFID) theft, which is a form of contact less bank card theft.
The crowdfunding campaign is being hosted by American site indiegogo.com, which gives creative projects in need of a cash injection an online platform to garner public funding within an allocated time frame. If the target amount is met by the deadline the project creator receives the public's pledged cash. So far the trio have raised more than 60% of their fundraising target.
Ibbe explained: "Our Vinco wallet was made to keep your money portable and, more importantly, safe. The fact is, almost all wallets are prone to RFID skimming, and we were inspired to create a product which protected against this crime after one of our friends was the victim of this form of theft. Not only is Vinco thin and secure, its stylish design makes for a discreet yet RFID-proof wallet. Weighing just 30 grams, it'll fit into any pocket unnoticed and can hold up to seven cards and a few folded cash bills. It will also be available in a range of colours."
The wallet has already been trialled, tested and proven to protect against RFID signals. An RFID scanner has also been used on Vinco and has not been able to read any cards through it. The wallet is made from Tyvek, a tough material which ensures that bank cards and cash are kept dry. The wallet is also designed to grip its contents tightly, to stop bank cards falling out.
The Vinco wallet
Ibbe added: "We have a lot of faith in this product and hope that the public get behind us with our crowdfunding bid. Vinco is designed, stitched and shipped locally here in Leeds, so customers will get a wallet that incorporates the true sentiment of British values.
"Vinco will be packaged and shipped by Clubit, an online retailer and wholesaler. Clubit was founded by a former Leeds Beckett student in 1999 and I am currently undertaking my University placement year with the company. Clubit have helped us greatly with this venture and having their support has really boosted our drive, confidence and belief in the Vinco product. If we are successful with this crowdfunding bid, everything is already in place for us to begin manufacturing, selling and shipping out Vinco wallets worldwide.
The retail price for the wallets is £20 each although the early bird perk is available now on indiegogo for £14."
To find out more about Vinco and to pledge your support, please visit:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/vinco-the-thinnest-rfid-blocking-wallet
For further details please contact Julia Williams in the Communications team at Leeds Beckett on 0113 812 5978 or email j.t.williams@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
About Leeds Beckett University
Leeds Beckett University was previously Leeds Metropolitan University. Leeds Beckett University has around 32,000 students and just over 3,000 staff. The Vice Chancellor of Leeds Beckett University is Professor Susan Price and the Chancellor is Sir Bob Murray CBE. Leeds Beckett's four faculties are: Arts, Environment and Technology, Business & Law, Health and Social Sciences, and Carnegie. Leeds Beckett University is the only university in the UK to have achieved both the Customer Service Excellence standard, Investors in People Gold and the RoSPA Gold medal.
The Destination of Leavers in Higher Education (DLHE) showed that the proportion of Leeds Beckett 2012/13 graduates in work, further study or both six months after leaving university was 93.7