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CHICAGO (CBS) ― Protecting yourself from pickpockets is not as difficult as you would think; just a few thoughtful precautions can be enough to give you peace of mind in going about your day.

Pickpockets operate throughout the year but become especially active around the holidays. Women make better marks than men do, because their wallets aren't usually in contact with their bodies.

Pickpockets in Chicago appear as average people in both appearance and manner. Sometimes they are well dressed. Because of their chosen "line of work," they spend a great deal of time studying how to blend into a crowd, therefore eliminating the possibility of detection before they can get away.

Sometimes, pickpockets work alone; however, they usually work in groups of two or three, which oftentimes will involve a female accomplice. The first team member removes the valuables from the unsuspecting victim's pockets. He then passes them on to the next member who disappears quickly from the area. When a female member is used in this "team effort," her role is generally to engage the victim in conversation to distract his or her attention. Male and female teams appear less suspicious than two men.

A common pickpocket trick is the sandwich, also known as the stall. It can be used to set up a bump and lift or the dipping of a purse. The set up is basic, and if done right, the results are simple and easy. This requires a team of at least two known as a "stall" and a "lift." They find a victim referred to as a "mark" and work their way until they have boxed him or her in between them. Then they wait until the time is right and the stall will suddenly stop, forcing the mark to run into them. This is when the lift quickly moves up behind them and dips the wallet from either pocket or purse. They vanish into the crowd after apologizing.

Although the sandwich or stall is done by a skilled pickpocket, most wallets are stolen by pickpockets that are simply capable of blending in at restaurants, grocery stores and coffee shops.

Tips for Men
• The target areas are back pants pockets, and suit coat and sports jacket pockets, located both inside and out. A pickpocket generally avoids front trouser pockets, and especially buttoned or zippered pockets.

• If you have to carry your wallet in an unbuttoned jacket, coat or pants pocket, be sure it holds only what you can afford to lose. Keep large sums of money, credit cards, IDs, in your front pants pocket or any buttoned, velcroed or zippered pocket. Some people even place a rubber band around their wallet, because the rubber band creates friction and rubs against the fabric of your pocket if someone is attempting to remove it without your knowledge.

• If you hear someone say, "Watch out for pickpockets," never pat your pocket to see if your wallet is there; this lets a criminal know the exact location of your valuables.

Tips for Women
• Do not carry your wallet in your purse. Conceal it in a buttoned or zippered pocket where it doesn't show a bulge.

• If you do keep your wallet in your purse, use a purse that is difficult to open. A purse with a zipper or snaps is best.

• If you are carrying a shoulder bag, place the strap(s) diagonally across your body, as opposed to carrying it on one shoulder. This keeps the purse in front of you, instead of at your side or behind you, which sometimes happens with purses with long straps. If you are carrying a hand bag, then make sure to hold it close to the front of your body, instead of holding it on your wrist or loosely in your hand.

• Never leave your purse unattended on a store counter or in a grocery shopping cart. Not even for a second. It's incredible how fast your wallet can be snatched.

• Never leave your purse hanging from your chair in a restaurant or coffee shop.

Tips for Travelers to Chicago during the Holiday Season
• Pack a photocopy of your airline tickets, passport, credit cards and any other documents that would be impossible or inconvenient to replace if stolen.

• Keep a list, separate from your wallet, of contact numbers to report lost credit cards.

• Don't wander into risky areas alone or at night, and try to avoid buses that are "standing room only."

• It's always a good idea to carry your valuables in a money belt and leave your expensive jewelry at home.

• When using an ATM make sure no one is looking over your shoulder to get your PIN.

• During the holiday season especially, or any time you're shopping, place packages in the trunk, not on the passenger seats or floors. Thieves will hang out in shopping center parking lots and watch for shoppers to drop off packages. If they see you walk away to continue shopping you are sure to return to an empty car.

Theft from Auto
• The best way to prevent theft from your car is to always keep valuables out of sight. Never leave GPSs, cell phones, briefcases, suitcases, or small electronic devices (walkmans, palm pilots, etc.) in your car in plain view. Take these items with you, or secure them—all the time, every time.

• If your GPS uses a suction cup on the front window be sure to clean the mark it leaves. Thieves know to look for this and will break into the car to look for it.

• If your car has a trunk, use it. Put valuables in there or in a locked glove compartment. Hiding items under seats is better than leaving them in plain view, but securing them inside the glove compartment or trunk is a far better deterrent.

• During the holiday season especially, or any time you're shopping, place packages in the trunk, not on the passenger seats or floors. Thieves will hang out in shopping center parking lots and watch for shoppers to drop off packages. If they see you walk away to continue shopping you are sure to return to an empty car.

• If you can disconnect your car radio and take it with you, or lock it in your trunk, do so. And don't forget to do the same with your CDs and tapes.

• Also, keep your car doors and windows locked—all the time.

• Remember: "Out of sight, out of mind."

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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