Researchers at the University of Washington have shown the relative easiness of hacking the RFID tags in U.S. border passports and enhanced driver's licenses (EDLs), reports vnunet.com. In a joint paper with Internet security firm RSA, researchers detailed how chips can be cloned from up to 150 feet.

The U.S. Passport Card (PASS Card) is intended to make crossing boarders easier and more secure. But researchers found the that RFID tags are essentially just barcodes with no security or privacy provisions. The tags also are missing the unique tag identifier codes that are recommended by the Department of Homeland Security.

According to The New York Times, Washington state and New York are the only states that use EDLs, but others are in the works.

Researchers say there is no reason to panic, as cards do not contain personal information. However, the problems demonstrate a systemic weaknesses in the border-crossing system. And with RFID tags being used more frequently in retail, shipping and other businesses, the tools of RFID hacking are becoming more easily available.