WSBT searched the dumpsters of several local government offices and agencies, and we found several people's personal information inside. Now, those agencies tell us why.

When Idella Hughley saw what we had, she couldn’t believe it.

We showed up at her door with a copy of her high school son’s birth certificate, driver’s license and Social Security card.

According to police, it’s more than enough to steal his identity.

How did WSBT get it?

It was all found in a trash bag in a dumpster outside the Work One center in South Bend.

“Work One?” exclaimed Hughley. “Where everyone gets jobs? Everyone who's been laid off goes to Work One.”

We found similar copies, plus pages of names and Social Security numbers for dozens of other people.

In a dumpster outside the Work One in Elkhart, it was much the same. WSBT uncovered lists of names and Social Security numbers.

A regional representative for Work One wouldn't go on camera, but behind closed doors she looked at the information we found and told us she was shocked.

She gave us a document outlining Work One’s policy on handling confidential information. It was sent out last year.

It calls identity theft the fastest growing crime in America and says, “Paper documents that contain personal or confidential information MUST be secured from view or access by unauthorized persons at all times."

A spokesperson at Work One’s headquarters in Indianapolis says it appears there was a breach.

“It's a very regrettable situation,” said Joe DiLaura, press secretary for the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. “We are in the process of conducting an investigation into our operations and have already communicated to staff the seriousness of our confidential policy."

WSBT visited several other government offices and agencies, randomly taking one trash bag out of each dumpster.

We also found personal information inside a trash bag outside the FSSA’s Division of Family Services in South Bend.

Again, there were names and Social Security numbers. We even found some very personal information about one client's mental disabilities.

The forms were ripped but not shredded. We easily put the pieces together.

Employees at the local office directed WSBT to Indianapolis for comment.

"We realize there is a flaw in the paper based system, and we're making positive changes to modernize the welfare system with technology so people won't run the risk of having slip-ups like this with paper based,” responded Lauren Auld, director of the Family and Social Services Administration in Indianapolis.

In a dumpster outside the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in South Bend we uncovered two forms with names, addresses and Social Security numbers.

A spokesperson for the court says they have a strong policy to protect information and this is an isolated incident. He says they will review what has happened.

It’s the same at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles on Western Avenue in South Bend.

“We are currently investigating the situation further,” said Ron Stiver, BMV commissioner. “I can tell you disciplinary action has already taken place.”

We found forms with two people's names addresses and Social Security numbers in a dumpster outside the BMV.

“It's a breach of our policy. It's unacceptable,” commented Stiver.

But for Idella Hughley, the damage may already be done.

“I'm heartbroken, I'm heartbroken,” exclaimed Hughley.

Police say for these agencies to have that personal information thrown away in the dumpsters is against the law.

The Indiana Attorney General’s office told WSBT those agencies are required to protect that information. Now, they plan on contacting each agency involved in this report.