Home security company changes its website, description after Times investigation

AMBRIDGE -- A website that purported to sell home security systems seems to have closed up shop and changed purposes after a Times investigation into its questionable business practices.

Home Security Shield officials changed the company website Thursday to eliminate all contact information and added a disclaimer saying that the company doesnt sell home security systems.

The phone number listed on the website also was disconnected.

HomeSecurityShield.org is not a home security provider, the disclaimer written at the bottom of the website reads. Rather, HomeSecurityShield.org is an informative website that evaluates, reviews and may recommend home security companies or features of a home security company.

That disclaimer was not on the website the previous day.

The changes come on the heels of a Times investigation that revealed that the company was masquerading as a North Carolina-based, accredited home security company and prompted a Beaver County state representative to ask the state attorney general for an investigation into the company, which seems to be based in Florida.

State Rep. Rob Matzie, D-16, Ambridge, sent a letter to Attorney General Kathleen Kane on Thursday, questioning the business practices of the company. J.J. Abbott, spokesman for the attorney general, said the request was forwarded to the offices Bureau of Consumer Protection.

I have concerns about their marketing practices, Matzie said. Its very difficult to find out any information about the validity of the company.

Matzie said he met with the attorney generals office on Wednesday about concerns that arose after the company ranked Ambridge the second-most-dangerous city in Pennsylvania using FBI Uniform Crime Report data from 2012. A former mayor of Ambridge, Matzie said the borough police and its mayor are very transparent about the type of crime that occurs.

They shouldnt be punished for being open, Matzie said. This ranking affects a town, especially a town that has struggled. The last thing we need is for our reputation to be drug down like that for someone to sell a product.

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Home security company changes its website, description after Times investigation