DETROIT -- Medical records found behind a Detroit shopping center this weekend has patients concerned about their privacy.

"Why is this on the street? Couldn't they afford someone to come and personally shred it?" asked patient Glenda Morris. "Anybody can come pick it up."

Morris, whose medical records were found behind the shopping center at Eight Mile and Lahser roads, said personal information left in the open, such as her Social Security number, could leave her vulnerable to Internet theft or mail fraud.

"This is very disturbing," said Morris.

Passer-by Martha Shows discovered files on the ground and in a Dumpster, Local 4 reported. Shows said she thought to herself, "These are not supposed to be here."

Shows e-mailed ClickOnDetroit.com Saturday with a tip about the medical records. Local 4 discovered the files were from St. Joseph Medical Center, located at 17950 Woodward Ave. at Nevada Road.

The owner of the medical center was out of town, but said the records were kept at a storage facility and were supposed to be destroyed.

Medical center officials removed the medical records from the Dumpster site, and will continue to investigate what happened, Local 4 reported.

"I'm very glad to have this back," said Morris. "This is my personal information."