May is Public Assistance Fraud Awareness Month in Ohio and the Richland County Job and Family Services is spreading the word that “Fraud Costs ALL of Us.”
Individuals who mislead caseworkers or lie on an application for benefits are believed to account for a small percentage of the funding disbursed, but RCJFS takes even small fraud cases very seriously. Individuals found to be committing fraud are removed from the program, must repay any improperly obtained benefits, and may face criminal charges and jail time.
Residents of Richland County may report suspected public assistance fraud by calling the local hotline at 419-774-7867 to leave a voicemail or use the new fraud website.
