JOHN DAY – Jan Margosian, consumer protection coordinator for Attorney General Hardy Myer’s office, scanned the room and asked audience members a series of questions about themselves: their age, income level, and even how often they eat out.

When she was done, she asked why the people answered those questions, noting, “It’s none of my business.”

The exercise demonstrated how easily people give their trust to strangers over the phone, in person and via e-mail, leaving them vulnerable to fraud.

“She was trying to say, ‘watch out who you trust with your information,'” said Ruth Smith of John Day, who attended the meeting. Smith said she was impressed to learn how available the Attorney General’s office is – “We can call them with problems,” she said.

ID theft is the fastest growing crime in the world, Margosian said, and Oregon ranks 13th in the nation for the problem.

Those who have their identities stolen, on average, lose $10,000 and they spend an average of three years straightening out the problem.

A Social Security number may be required for a community college application – that would be OK, she said. However, it should not be given out for other purposes – like a Blockbuster video membership.

Margosian shared other tips:

? Shred documents with a cross-cut shredder.

? Opt out of receiving credit card and checks in the mail (call hotline for help).

? Check credit reports – however don’t use the free credit report companies seen on TV.

? Secure your wireless Internet and register for the “Do Not Call” list.

Margosian also warned about fraudulent schemes that continue to crop up, such as the Nigerian check scam. The latter entails an letter, phone or e-mail approach by a con artist who claims to have a large sum of money coming, but needs a third party to complete the transaction in the United States. The helper is promised a large bonus, but must put some money up in advance – while waiting for their big windfalls.

Those who fall for such scams lose their money – once they wire it, it’s gone, said Margosian, and they also will be liable for any counterfeit checks they are conned into passing.

John Day Police Chief Rich Tirico said that locally two such scams succeeded, and several others have tried recently.

“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” he said.