SALT LAKE CITY -- In order to prevent more cases in Utah of the nation's fastest-growing crime, the Sutherland Institute held a symposium today on "Protecting Utah's Families from Identity Theft." "In a day and age when identity theft is so rampant, it is absolutely necessary for parents to become better informed and for parents to become better informed," said Ron Mortensen of Bountiful, senior policy analyst for the Sutherland Institute. The symposium was held at the Sutherland Institute offices and lasted from 9 a.m. to noon. The conclusion of the symposium was a panel discussion on "What additional tools do we need to protect our identities?"

Representative Julie Fisher, R-Fruit Heights, presented her first-hand experience with child identity theft as part of the symposium.

Other presenters included Chief Deputy Kirk Torgensen from the Utah Attorney General's Office; Ronald Ingleby, Resident Agent in charge for the Social Security Administration; FBI Special Agent Matthew Miller; Bryan Mower, president of Western Reporting, Inc; and Senator Carlene Walker, R-Sandy.

rwald@davisclipper.com