Dumpster Disasters: How Medical Records End Up on the Streets

When private medical records are dumped in an alley, who really pays the price? In this episode of the Learn Online Security Podcast, Tamara Michèle and Chris Howells unpack a disturbing privacy breach involving discarded psychiatric files and the fallout that followed. They explore the real-life consequences of identity theft, how sensitive data can be exploited, and the harsh truth that once your information is out, you may never know where it went—or who has it.

From fake IDs to stolen medical identities, Chris shares how easy it is for someone to assume your identity with just a few pieces of personal information. Tamara opens up about her own experience trying to change her Social Insurance Number after a workplace data breach.

This episode covers:
✅Why medical data is a goldmine for criminals
✅What companies are supposed to do after a breach
✅Why the blame often falls on the wrong people
✅What steps you can take when you get that letter
✅The role of street smarts and teaching kids how to protect themselves

Whether you're dealing with a breach or want to prevent one, this episode offers a practical look at what really happens when your personal data leaks—and what you can do about it.

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Independent Fact Check:
Health records found in alley prompt privacy commissioner report
https://www.sasktoday.ca/regina-today/regina-news/health-records-found-in-alley-prompt-privacy-commissioner-report-10485380
INVESTIGATION REPORT 251-2024, 004-2025
Dr. Chukwuemeka Odenigbo and Dr. Nebeolisa Ezeasor (Elphinstone Medical Clinic)
https://oipc.sk.ca/assets/hipa-investigation_251-2024-004-2025.pdf
Decades Later, Patient Records Still Blowing in the Wind
https://www.rosensunshine.com/blog/decades-later-patient-records-still-blowing-in-the-wind

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