I probably should for Veronica, but the thought never occurred to me because I never wear anything better than light armor. Good idea.
It lowers your karma, but never on a remotely substantial level. Maybe if you get caught, but I never steal within eyesight, even when I'm hidden (I do pickpocket for every key I can get my hands on, that let me sweep through the Strip casino quests). It doesn't even compare to killing someone at random or completing a quest in an evil manner. I'm still considered of saintly general demeanor.And speaking of stealing. What does Karma do? You lose it when you steal. But i can't really find anything that it affects. Will people start to hate you if it gets to low or something? Since you lose it i almost never steal even though i want to. Only takes things that feel like it's worth it. And i rarely steal from groups I'm friendly with.