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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⌚Time Stamps ⌚
00:00:00 What to Do When You Get a Data Breach Letter
00:00:50 Medical Privacy Breaches Are More Common Than You Think
00:01:57 What Hackers Find in Your Leaked Medical Records
00:02:36 Why Leaked Psychiatric Info Is So Dangerous
00:03:06 How Identity Thieves Exploit Medical Data
00:04:22 Can Stolen Records Be Used to Get Real Prescriptions?
00:05:57 Real-World Fallout from Psychiatric Record Leaks
00:07:00 What Clinics Are Legally Required to Do After a Breach
00:08:47 Can You Sue? Understanding Breach Compensation Rules
00:10:01 Why Blaming Cleaners for Data Leaks Misses the Point
00:11:47 What to Do Immediately After a Breach Notification
00:13:00 What Is a Raven Code and Why It Flags You as a Risk
00:14:47 Why Your Social Insurance Number Needs Protection
00:15:45 Why Younger Generations Lack Data Street Smarts
00:17:20 Teaching Kids to Spot Identity Theft Risks Early
00:18:46 How to Verify a Breach and Work the Problem
00:20:35 The Overlooked Risks in Workplace Data Breaches
00:21:00 Final Advice: Protecting Yourself Starts Now

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