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--> --> ID thefts could affect millions HILLSBORO (AP) - A preliminary inspection of computer discs seized in an identity theft investigation show that as many as 2.5 million Oregonians could have been targeted by the operation. The 85 discs recovered from the home of Jody Gene Oates include the names, home addresses, dates of birth and Oregon driver's license numbers for 269,889 people whose last name begins with B, said Detective Roger Bush. The discs also include records for 27,000 people with Oregon identification cards. Investigators also found driver's licenses, credit cards, identification photos, death certificates, Social Security cards and applications for medical residency at OHSU Hospital in a suitcase and bedroom safe at Oates' house. Most of the documents were stolen from cars and mailboxes in Hillsboro, Cornelius, Aloha and Portland, police said. Oates, 44, was arrested Nov. 14 and charged with identity theft and forgery. He was held on $1,000 bail but was released a day later because of overcrowding in the jail. "The potential for fraud here is just enormous," said Bush, whose name was on the list along with those of his 21- and 22-year-old sons. "I see my license number, and it's like, 'Oh, scary."' Bush said the seized files were labeled A to Z, leading investigators to suspect they hold the same records on all Oregonians with a driver's license or an identification card. Police have not had time to review all the discs. Police are trying to figure out how Oates obtained the records. Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services spokesman Kevin Beckstrom said Oates did not legally buy the records from the agency, which is allowed to sell the data to news organizations and banks. During a one-year period prior to May 2001, DMV received about 70 requests for the information, Beckstrom said. Requesters must tell DMV what they plan to do with the data, which includes surveys and mailings. Detective William Snyder of the Hillsboro Police Department said Oates could have used the DMV information to create fake licenses that included his photo next to someone else's name, date of birth and home address. Bush said he also found discs with all the license plate numbers issued in the state, including the owner's name and the lien holder. He also found scanned driver's licenses from all 50 states, some of which were blank samples. "The potential is endless," Snyder said. "All you have to do is locate a person and start stealing their mail. From there, you can open accounts in their name." Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing