A few years ago, Rep. Julie Fisher, R-Fruit Heights, discovered someone had an outstanding debt on her son's Social Security number.

"How that number was accessed, I have no idea," Fisher said at a symposium on identity theft hosted by the Sutherland Institute, a conservative issues group.

Those who work on identity theft cases in the public and private sector participated in the discussion, along with state lawmakers and members of the public.

Some 27.3 million Americans' identities were stolen in the five years prior to 2003, according to a Federal Trade Commission report. In Utah, credit card theft was the largest segment of identity theft reported to the FTC in 2004, accounting for 25 percent of all reported cases.

Drug users (particularly methamphetamine addicts) and organized groups, such as white supremacists and gangs, account for the most cases, said Matthew Miller, special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Illegal immigrants also account for some cases.

Miller said a multi-agency Utah Identity Theft Task Force has communicated with 1,400 victims from November 2004 to January 2006. Of those, about 126 resulted in convictions, and more charges are pending, he said.

Ron Mortensen, Sutherland senior policy analyst, said the illegal immigration debate was on his mind during the discussion. Mortensen wants a new law requiring employers to verify the identity of new employees. Such a bill, sponsored by Rep. Glenn Donnelson, R-North Ogden, failed in the past legislative session.

Kirk Torgensen, chief deputy for the Utah Attorney General's Office, recommended some steps to prevent identity theft:

• Check credit card statements each month and credit reports regularly. Each agency allows one free check a year.

• Get a locked mail box or post office box. Drop off any outgoing mail at a post office mail box before the day's last scheduled pick-up.

• Avoid "phishing" schemes by not responding to unsolicited e-mails requesting personal information.

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E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com