Local Facebook groups are still dealing with a nationwide scam involving car detailing or duct cleaning offers, involving social media posts typically consisting of similar content – before and after pictures of car detailing or duct cleaning and a variation of the following ad copy:
Hello neighbors!
I own a car Detailing business and local to the neighborhood. No kind of upfront charge I have well experience technicians. If anyone would like to support the local that would be really appreciated I’ll make sure you that you guys will be happy with my work and you don’t have to pay until we have completed the work.”
The posts are different than legitimate businesses who offer similar services, and will sometimes include a cell number, but typically request people in the group to “DM” (direct message) the original poster. Many of these posts will not include a business name or website, but a lot have started doing so in recent months to avoid easy detection. The scam can occur in a few different ways. Sometimes, there is a claim of no upfront payment required, but a private request of a “refundable deposit” is made prior to the start of the work. Other times, a call center located overseas will hire out someone not qualified for the job to actually visit the home and attempt to complete it– leaving the consumer on the hook to pay for a service that is completed poorly and often times includes a price that is much higher than what was originally agreed upon.
We spoke with a Montgomery Resident who is an administrator on two local Facebook pages who shared em with us that the profiles behind these fraudulent posts appear to be real at first glance, but a deeper look will reveal just one or two photos without much interaction on its profile. Many times the same person will post similar messages in Facebook groups across the country simultaneously, in hopes that someone will fall for the scam.
“We have received over a dozen messages since the start of the year from people who were scammed by this kind of post. We try our best to monitor it, but they’re often deleted quickly before any admin sees them, and by then it’s too late” the neighborhood Facebook admin told us.
It’s always important to do your own research to ensure you’re using a reputable company. Look for a reputable company with a website, reviews, and recommendations from people you trust. If you believe you’ve been scammed by one of these fake business posts, please reach out to your local state’s attorney general for guidance.
Update: Rockville Town Square Outdoor Ice Skating Rink is Now Open
Rockville Town Square Outdoor Ice Skating is opening soon– as early as later this week, according to a representative. The rink is currently being constructed and reservations are highly recommended once the rink opens as timeslots do sell out. Additional information below, per Rockville Ice Skating:
On Monday we reported that Pieology Pizzeria at 15780 Shady Grove Rd in Gaithersburg closed permanently. Pieology was located in the 270 Center, which is also home to Home Depot and Best Buy. Items from the restaurant have just been listed by Capital Online Auctions, including a Woodstone pizza oven, dough rollers, mixers, and various restaurant supplies. The auction closes October 26.
Pieology offered individual, fast-casual style pizzas where customers would order toppings in an “assembly-line” similar to Chipotle. Pieology was listed as “becoming available” on the shopping center’s leading website, but management could not confirm any closure as recently as earlier this month. Now, the windows are papered and the store is no longer listed on the Pieology website (Photo below courtesy of @imbr1anna on Instagram). A previous Montgomery County location in Bethesda closed about four years ago.
Per the Maryland Lottery: “Multi-Match has been the game to play as we just had our third jackpot winner in the last four drawings. Last night’s $500,000 winning ticket was sold in Prince George’s County. There was also a Powerball third-tier $50,000 winning ticket sold in Frederick for last night’s drawing.
Lottery officials encourage the winner to sign the back of the ticket and keep it in a safe location. The player has 182 days after the date of the drawing to claim the prize. Instructions on claiming prizes in person or by mail are available HERE. Players must redeem prizes larger than $25,000 by mail or at Lottery headquarters in the Montgomery Park Business Center, 1800 Washington Blvd., Suite 330 in Baltimore. The Lottery’s Claims Center in Baltimore is open by appointment only (no walk-ins). Click HERE to schedule an appointment.” Featured image courtesy of Google Maps.
Per MCPD: “Montgomery County Department of Police – 2nd District officers are investigating a fatal two-vehicle collision that occurred on Saturday, October 21, 2023. The preliminary investigation has revealed that at approximately 6:26 p.m., 60-year-old Byron Jennings was driving a 2012 Kia Sorento westbound on Democracy Blvd prior to Newbridge Drive when he suffered a medical emergency. The Kia then left the roadway, causing a 2015 BMW to collide with the curb and to leave the roadway.
The driver of the BMW sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital. Jennings, of Lynchburg, VA, was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.” Featured image courtesy of Google Maps.
Montgomery County Police responded to an armed carjacking on Monday, October 23, in Germantown. According to police, “At approximately 10 p.m., MCPD responded to the 19400 block of St. Johnsbury Lane for the report of an armed carjacking that just occurred. No injuries were reported. There are no suspects in custody at this time. This is an active and ongoing investigation. More information will be released as is becomes available.”
A photo of the stolen vehicle can be seen below:
Last Friday we let you know that Old Town Pour House, located at 212 Ellington Drive in Gaithersburg’s Downtown Crown development, will be closing permanently on Tuesday, October 24th. We have been told by several readers that the restaurant had extended waits over the weekend and was busier than usual on Monday. Today will be the last day to have a meal or drink at the Downtown Crown original tenant restaurant/bar.
Old Town Pour House released the following statement after our report, “After10 incredible years in Gaithersburg, our lease is up and we’ve decided to turn off the taps at Old Town Pour House at 212 Ellington Boulevard. This last decade was filled with so many delightful guests and meaningful engagement with an outstanding community, and we consider it a major success for the Bottleneck Management group. We whole-heartedly thank everyone we’ve met along the way for making us a part of their lives. Our last day of service will be Tuesday, October 24th.
We’re so thankful to our team and guests for our 10 years in Gaithersburg. Though this location is closed, you can visit other Bottleneck restaurants across the US. www.bottleneckmgmt.com”
Having signed on in 2013, it originally opened in March of 2015 with three 110-inch “video wall” screens. The same block has recently suffered the loss of BurgerIM and dessert shop, Doki Toki. The Container Store, however, will be moving in across the street soon.
A suspect is in custody after a triple shooting left one dead and two injured Monday night in Fairland. According to police, “At approximately 10:57 p.m., 3rd District officers and Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel responded to the 14300 block of Fairdale Rd., for the report of a shooting.
Upon arrival, officers located a male, unknown age, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. A second male victim, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, was located outside and transported to an area hospital, with non-life-threatening injuries.
A short time later, a third male victim, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, was located and transported to an area hospital. The extent of his injuries are unknown at this time. One individual is in custody. This is an active and ongoing investigation.”
According to our public safety reporter, Cordell Pugh, officers were responding to a call for a robbery/home invasion when they found the victim who was shot. The shooter crashed into an officer, where an arrest was made and a gun was recovered. Featured image courtesy of Google Maps.
~11:45PM Fairland UPDATE: Paramedics transporting 1 shooting victim to an area Trauma Center. There is at least 1 other victim at the scene, and a large Police presence in the area. Also handling a related crash scene on Fairdale Rd North of Briggs Chaney. https://t.co/WrkJCbBAVU
— Cordell (@CordellTraffic) October 24, 2023
Updated article can be found here.
Montgomery County Police received a call at approximately 10:57 pm and responded to a shooting on the 14300 block of Fairdale Rd. in on Monday night. According to police, 3rd District officers arrived on the scene to find one victim who was shot. One suspect is currently in custody with more information to be released by police as it becomes available.
According to our public safety reporter, Cordell Pugh, officers were responding to a call for a robbery/home invasion when they found the victim who was shot. The shooter crashed into an officer, where an arrest was made and a gun was recovered. In a subsequent update, it was noted that at least one other victim was on the scene with a large police presence in the area who was also handling the related crash scene on Fairdale Rd., north of Briggs Chaney.
~11:45PM Fairland UPDATE: Paramedics transporting 1 shooting victim to an area Trauma Center. There is at least 1 other victim at the scene, and a large Police presence in the area. Also handling a related crash scene on Fairdale Rd North of Briggs Chaney. https://t.co/WrkJCbBAVU
— Cordell (@CordellTraffic) October 24, 2023
