Actually, the biggest pickpockets TRAVEL. They haunt big events, from sports and fights and races, to concerts, to conventions. And when they're professional enough to cross state lines they call themselves "wires" and "whiz players." Mere "pickpockets," according to the thieves themselves, are small-time local guys.

To address wahooflyer's last comment, credit cards ARE preferred by thieves. My husband/partner Bob Arno and I interview hundreds of them. One of their favorite things to do is get cash advances on the cards. They can do this in multiple, especially in cities with casinos, and get $60,000 in an hour.

To wck4: here's a remedy for health insurance cards that have your ss# on them: make a photocopy of it, CUT off the ss# (or part of it), and carry only the copy in your wallet.