Ar these cards RFID or "smart card" ?

RFID ( Radio Frequency IDentification ) works by beaming a signal to the chip, this signal powers the chip causing it to send a signal back to the receiver. The transmitter can also send information to the chip.

A remote RFID attack is possible however they must get close as the signal or use a large antenna as these cards are pretty weak. Farther away one gets the weaker the signal gets. If you see someone walking around with a 2 ft square antenna, run.

There are long distance RFID chips but the chip must be designed for that function.

If smart card, there are contacts and a gold rectangle on the card that must engage to read the card making remote reading impossible. ( Satellite TV receivers use a smart card to validate. )