The bad guys behind this scam are using a common and incredibly successful technique to con victims: They'll make you think they're the good guys, out to protect you! The "call" from the Fraud Department of your bank, credit card or insurance company - even the IRS. Their devious hook? You'd better give them the info they need right now (in order to help you!) or it'll be too late to stop the fraud (or loss) they're "trying to stop."

Ben's "Wake Up, Will Ya?" Bottom Line: Treat all unsolicited e-mails as you (should be treating) unsolicited phone calls: Never trust them! Most e-mail and phone scammers are after your Social Security Number (SSN): This 9-digit number unlocks your health and credit records and just about every repository of valuable information about you. It's the most influential number in your life...and anyone who asks for it should be suspect.

The biggest reason 700,000 people are victimized by identity theft every year? Gullibility! Remember the only legitimate reasons for giving out your SSN are:

#1: You're starting work for a new employer: They've gotta report your wages to the IRS and need your SSN so they can pop you with a W-2 or 1099 every January. This is not the same as being asked for your SSN for the promise of work, another popular scam floating around big job hunting websites like Monster.com.

#2: You're opening a financial transaction account at a bank, savings and loan, credit union or brokerage house: They've gotta keep our pals at the IRS happy, too.

#3: You're applying for financial assistance: Whether it's a student loan, food stamps or anything in between. Local, state and federal agencies have a right to obtain your SSN to transact this level of business.

#4: You're applying for credit: This includes applying for a car or home lease or loan, or a credit card. It may also be necessary to provide your SSN when you're trying to rent an apartment, since the landlord is going to be extending you a form of credit.

#5: You may have to give up your SSN to lazy insurance companies or schools that use it as your tracking/ID number: This includes health care providers too and for the record: These most common misuses of our SSNs has got to stop! In fact I expect we're going to see a movement to outlaw this practice in the year ahead because of the obvious security landmines.

And finally, Legitimate Reason #6 to give up your SSN: A cop or any legitimate member of a law enforcement agency like the FBI, Secret Service or DEA. But don't be naive! If someone identifies themselves as a member of a law enforcement agency, take the time to verify their authenticity...especially if it's in the form of an intimidating phone call.

If anyone demands your SSN for any reason other than those just covered, tell them to stuff it! And refuse to do business with them! If you're going to a Doc-in-the-Box for medical treatment and you're gonna pay cash, don't give them your SSN...since they don't need it/they're not entitled to it if you're not filing an insurance claim. But don't waste your time arguing privacy rights with some pinhead. If they must have it, then give it to them, but here's a little Dover Tip: Reverse the last two digits of your SSN. My explanation why is available in one of my columns from 2002.....

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One of the oldest crimes is making a huge comeback, and Heidi Fleiss isn't involved in this one: Pickpockets are alive and well and making your life a potential nightmare if you're not careful; it's one of the oldest crimes on the books and goes on every day, everywhere...ripping off over $50 million from more than 160,000 people nationwide every year.

They're teaming up with identity theft rings...delivering credit cards, driver's licenses and Social Security cards to the "other" bad guys, targeting popular vacation spots or mega-sporting events like the Super Bowl, World Series or Olympics, frequently in three or four person crews.

Other favorite places to pick off unsuspecting victims? Airports, train or subway stations, and they're especially fond of shopping malls and other busy areas like Santa Monica's Boardwalk. They work hard at blending in with their surroundings, dressing and acting like others in the area-meaning they'll have multiple piercings and lots of tattoos if they're working Padre Island.

Favorite targets? Women carrying loose, dangling purses...as well as "lost out-of-towners" and foreigners with cameras dangling from their necks, shy/naïve-looking types and one of the all-time easiest targets? Parents distracted by bratty kids or babies. Once they spot a target, they tail their future victim waiting for the perfect moment to strike: The first crew member's called "the stall," and they'll frequently create a major distraction, like dropping a bunch of (noisy) change right in front of the victim. With the victim now distracted, the second "crew" member goes for the wallet, many times using a suit bag or briefcase to hide their hand. I've actually done this myself...not professionally, but for a segment that I did a few years ago for The View on ABC.

Beware of strangers carrying gifts: The device that I used (I shot this in early December) for quietly stealing entire purses looked like a gift-wrapped present...only my box had a hollow bottom. When my accomplice distracted the mark (asking her for style advice) I stepped in, placed my hollow-bottomed box over her purse and was gone inside 2 seconds-and she was absolutely clueless. And the good news? She had some pretty good credit limits left on her two Visa cards that I was able to use to finish all of my holiday shopping and stay within my budget that year! (Just kidding.....)

Let this story serve as another reminder to:

- Only carry one or two credit cards at any one time in your wallet.

- If you're carrying a health insurance card in your wallet, take it out and leave it at home. Or if you insist upon carrying it, shoot a photocopy and blackout all but the first 3-digits of your Social Security Number (that's undoubtedly plastered) on the front and carry that.

One more thing worth noting: Pickpockets really like to hang out near banks or ATMs...for obvious reasons.

Tired of being beaten up/beaten down by threatening phone calls from those bottom-feeding, tele-terrorist debt collectors? It's time to tell 'em to get your hands on: Back Off! The Definitive Guide To Stopping Collection Agency Harassment is now available! Order all of Ben's don't take any b.s. books right here!

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