SAN DIEGO - A public awareness campaign announced this week features 65 billboards and transit shelter posters throughout San Diego County aimed at curbing workers' compensation fraud

The District Attorney's Office hopes the campaign -- which runs through November -- will make people think twice before committing the crime.

"Workers' compensation fraud increases when the economy struggles," said District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis. "Ultimately, the crime hits all of us in our wallets. This anti-fraud message will be seen by an estimated one Advertisement

[ Christ the King Lutheran Church ] million people every day in San Diego County."

Authorities said workers' compensation fraud costs California consumers up to $4 billion every year.

The fraud is committed by employees faking an injury; by employers denying employee benefits, failing to report accurate payroll or having no insurance at all; and by healthcare and legal providers billing for services not rendered.

The new public awareness campaign is funded through a grant from the California Workers' Compensation Fraud Assessment Commission and the California Department of Justice.