The Abington Township Fire Marshal’s Office recently announced that individuals are potentially attempting to scam community members surrounding the fire site at SPS Technologies, 301 Highland Avenue, in Jenkintown.
According to Chris Platz, Fire Marshal of Abington Township, individuals are attempting to target those who may be vulnerable, distressed, or concerned after the recent fire.
“To help you best respond appropriately to these potential negative actors, in this situation and all disaster events, the Fire Marshal would like to remind the community of how to best protect yourself from getting scammed, in relation to this incident and all emergency situations,” said Platz.
According to Platz, the scams could come in the form of phone and text messaging, unsolicited in-person solicitations, damage assessments or insurance claims, fraudulent donations, fake Township, County, or Federal employees, and false job solicitation scams.
Some of the safeguarding procedures, published by Abington Township, include:
Phone and Text Message Scams
After an incident, you may receive phone calls and text messages from unknown numbers offering you assistance. Many of our personal phone numbers are online, so a simple search can provide them with all the information they need. Be cautious providing any information to them and certainly do not provide any sort of financial information. Scammers may try to impersonate FEMA or insurance agents to steal personal information or may try to get you to quickly sign a document before fully understanding your rights and what they are planning. If you receive suspicious texts or calls, hang up, don’t click on any links, and verify the source through official contact details.
Unsolicited In-Person Solicitations
Abington Township has a strong solicitation ordinance. All solicitors are required to be registered with the Abington Township Police Department, and if approved, have a copy of their Solicitation License on them at all times. Be sure to ask for identification and do not make decisions on the spot. Be cautious of people approaching you in person offering "free help" with repairs, insurance claims, or government assistance. They may even state that the fire department sent them, which is not true. Be sure to get everything in writing and properly review it prior to signing anything. To check to see if a Solicitor is licensed in Abington Township, please visit https://www.abingtonpa.gov/residents/solicitation-current-permit-list.
Damage Assessments or Insurance Claims
If you feel the need to have your property assessed for any damage, or to file any insurance claims, we encourage you to first contact your insurance company. You may be approached/contacted by individuals/companies offering you assistance, but we always encourage you to start with your insurance company. While there are legitimate agencies that can assist in the situations, we often hear about illegitimate organizations taking advantage of stressful times. If you have a local agent, they may be able to walk you through the process and answer any questions you may have. Take time to evaluate any proposals and contracts prior to signing and contact legal counsel should you feel the need. Page 1 of 2 Abington Township Fire Department Fire Marshal’s Office 1176 Old York Road Abington, PA 19001 | 267.536.1057
Fraudulent Donations
We are truly grateful for the community’s support and the donations that have been made. Be cautious of anyone requesting donations without first verifying they are a legitimate representative of that organization. If you receive a solicitation request for an Abington Township Fire Company and would like to verify its authenticity, please send an email to [email protected].
Fake Township, County, or Federal Employees.
Never trust someone claiming to be a representative of the Township, County, or Federal government without proper ID. Abington Township staff will always have identification on them indicating who they are and their role with the township. Government employees will never ask for money or any other form of payment.
False Job Solicitation Scams
If you're currently out of work after the fire, be cautious of job offers on social media that claim to be from the government or reputable agencies with immediate openings. These offers are often scams aimed at stealing your personal information. Scammers may ask for sensitive details like your Social Security number or bank account information. Never share personal information through links on social media, and always verify job offers through official government channels or the agency's official website. We encourage everyone to be vigilant for themselves, their families, and their fellow community members. If you believe that you or someone you know has been scammed, please reach out to the Abington Township Police Department at 267-536-1100. For questions regarding this notice, please reach out to the Abington Township Fire Marshal at [email protected] or 267-536-1057.
