Oregon Department of Justice

Silverton Chief of Police Rick Lewis and Attorney General Hardy Myers want Silverton area residents to know how to protect themselves and their families from the fastest growing crime in the world…Identity Theft.

The two law enforcement agencies will convene a free, public forum on Identity Theft on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 at 7 p.m. in the Silverton Council Chambers, 421 South Water, Silverton.

Jan Margosian, consumer information coordinator for the Oregon Department of Justice, will represent Attorney General Hardy Myers' office, focusing on the many ways individuals, their families and small business can prevent being victims of identity theft.

A Silverton Police Department representative will discuss local identity theft issues.

"Educating everyone in our community about Identity Theft is a priority for the Silverton Police Department," Chief Lewis said. "Armed with the right tools, we can prevent identity theft from happening in the first place and we also can effectively report those incidents when they do happen."

Margosian explained that "no one is immune to identity theft but there are steps everyone can take to minimize their risk."

Information packets on Identity Theft and other scams and schemes that effect Oregon families will be distributed at the forum. Light refreshments will be provided.