MasterCard and Visa will soon expand the prevalence of a new type of credit card that can be swiped through the air. Though the "contactless" cards may be convenient, they also could pose a security threat to consumers, warns CBC News.

These new cards feature an embedded computer chip known as a radio frequency indentification tag, or RFID. A consumer can simply wave the card near a terminal in a store, rather than swiping it or handing it over to a cashier.

However, Pablos Holman, U.S. cyber-security expert, says the feature poses a threat to consumers. "It's really easy to read [the card]," Holman said. "Now you can get a generic RFID reader and use open-source programs available on the web and read cards."

According to Javelin Strategy and Research, the number of U.S. identity fraud. victims increased 22 percent in 2008 to 9.9 million adults.

This new technology may cause fear in some consumers who want to keep their personal information safe. For those concerned about identity theft, it is best to stop using credit cards altogether, and use personal money for purchases.