BBC News - Millions of Sim cards are 'vulnerable to hack attack'
 

This is a good enough reason to stay away from NFC. Having money in your mobile is just plain dumb. I hope they can figure out a solution. Wouldnt like my calls listened to (not that I talk about anything dodgy anyway)

Is there any way to avoid this?

Don't use a phone that has a SIM card, e.g. stick with Verizon ;)

More seriously the BBC article is 1½ years old. If this "vulnerability" was being exploited widely then surely we'd have seem more stories about it since then.

Man can avoid this.