May is Public Assistance Fraud Awareness Month. If you’re considering buying or selling benefits or “stamps,” please be aware that if you are caught doing so you could pay with a loss of benefits, possible fines and jail time.
What happens when you get caught selling food stamps? Here are some examples.
This Cincinnati woman lost her benefits for a year.
Derron Chamberlain of Middletown went to jail. According to court records, he is banned from food assistance for life.
These two brothers in Cleveland went to prison.
Selling less than $100 in benefits carries a prison sentence of up to one year and fines of up to $1,000.
Selling benefits can result in a total of 20 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.
One of the most common ways fraud is reported is by screenshots of social media.
Selling benefits could result in a permanent loss of benefits.
Committing benefit fraud could cost you any future benefits.
Committing benefit fraud could cost you your freedom, for up to 20 years.
You can report stamps being sold, or other suspected fraud, here.