Bensalem Insurance Adjuster Charged with Fraud

Elderly clients among victims left without funds for critical home repairs

Mar. 30, 2026 at 7:33pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a crumpled insurance claim check, capturing the harsh, gritty details of the object to conceptually represent the investigation into insurance fraud.A recent wave of insurance fraud targeting elderly homeowners has exposed vulnerabilities in the public adjuster industry.Trenton Today

A 53-year-old insurance claims adjuster in Bensalem, Pennsylvania has been charged with numerous felonies, including insurance fraud and theft by deception, for allegedly keeping over $82,000 in insurance payouts that were meant for his elderly clients in New Jersey and Pennsylvania to cover storm and water damage repairs. Prosecutors believe there may be additional victims.

Why it matters

This case highlights the vulnerability of elderly homeowners to insurance fraud schemes and the importance of regulating the insurance claims adjuster industry to protect consumers, especially those who may be less able to advocate for themselves.

The details

According to Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan, Joseph Breitenbach, the owner of Patriot Public Adjusting in Bensalem, acted as a public adjuster on behalf of clients between September 2023 and September 2024. In this role, he collected at least eight checks totaling approximately $82,000 that were intended to pay for the repair of storm and water damage to his clients' properties, but he allegedly never passed along any of that money to his clients.

  • Between September 2023 and September 2024, Breitenbach acted as a public adjuster on behalf of clients.
  • Breitenbach was charged in March 2026.

The players

Joseph Breitenbach

A 53-year-old insurance claims adjuster and owner of Patriot Public Adjusting in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, who is accused of keeping over $82,000 in insurance payouts that were meant for his elderly clients in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Joe Khan

The Bucks County District Attorney who announced the charges against Breitenbach.

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What they’re saying

“Not one red cent was received by his clients.”

— Joe Khan, Bucks County District Attorney

What’s next

The judge will decide on Breitenbach's bail status at a hearing next week.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for stronger oversight and regulation of the insurance claims adjuster industry to protect vulnerable consumers, especially the elderly, from falling victim to fraud schemes that can leave them without the funds needed to make critical home repairs.