Pennsylvania's Office of State Inspector General (OSIG) filed public assistance fraud charges against 53 people in July, according to a news release.

Restitution in the cases totals $309,666, and the defendants will be temporarily disqualified from receiving public benefits from the programs administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS).

51 face felony charges of fraudulently receiving public assistance, and misdemeanor charges were filed against two separate individuals. They are accused of misrepresenting their household circumstances and fraudulently received taxpayer-funded public benefits.

If convicted, they face up to seven years in prison and a maximum fine of $15,000.

You can anonymously report suspected welfare fraud on the OSIG website or by calling the Welfare Fraud Tipline at 1-800-932-0582.