smtran978-my girlfriend and I are flight attendants who layover in Rome quite a bit. We were at Termini buying train tickets to go to Florence when this happened and the only reason why I mentioned it is because we are usually pretty savvy there about the various tourists scams,etc. There were two slots on the kiosk and we just assumed it was in the usual spot for the train tickets so when they dropped out on the slot near the floor she made off with them.
I ride the buses and metro all the time in Rome and my only advice is to avoid prime time hours for working peeps and just keep an eye on your purse,backpacks,etc. so that "busy fingers" cannot get in them.
I always ask the cabs if they are using the meters and that they know where they are going before we get in.Cabbies over in Rome have been very good .
I buy metro/bus tickets all the time and they literally are good for years if you don't use them up right away.
Hope that you have a wonderful trip-its a magical city!

>>>I buy metro/bus tickets all the time and they literally are good for years if you don't use them up right away.<<<

Might not be true after May 25th when the rate increase goes into effect.