Is this a phishing scam?

Quoted post said:

I got this on an email email today.http://jeromesbikes.freehostia.com/index.htm?

Andres

Call these folks and ask:

Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce
21 University Dr
Augusta, Maine 04330
207-623-4559

Good luck!

Quoted message said:

I got this on an email email today. http://jeromesbikes.freehostia.com/index.htm?

Andres

I got the email too, but I didn't open it. I assume they harvested our
names from this group.

BC

Ozark Bicycle said:

Quoted post said:

I got this on an email email today.http://jeromesbikes.freehostia.com/index.htm?

I was wondering the same thing, and they're only 2 hours from my
house. If weather and schedule permit I may drive up there and check
it out in person this weekend. I'll post back if I do.

Ozark Bicycle said:

Quoted post said:

I got this on an email email today.http://jeromesbikes.freehostia.com/index.htm?

Quoted message said:

Andres

Call these folks and ask:

Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce
21 University Dr
Augusta, Maine 04330
207-623-4559

Good luck!

Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce has no listing or reference to
Jeromes. They've had many calls, but know nothing.

Autusta Police are in the same boat. They were able to tell me
exactly where it should be, in reference to two businesses across the
street. The officer I spoke with had no knowledge of there being a
business across the street, and seemed to think if it was a business
it was being run out of a house. I find it hard to imagine a house-
based store has enough of an inventory to warrant a web-based sale of
in-stock bikes.

Augusta Attorney General has been busy for the past hour.

Calling the # listed for Jeromes in the email goes to a voicemail
stating all lines are busy and to try later or contact via email,
which is a free yahoo address as opposed to an addy that ties in with
their website. The way the voice says "bicycles" (hear: bee see
kles) makes it clear it's an automated voice.

Google searching the phone # in the email results in two hits. One
references Jack's Cycling Store, and the other Norman's Cycling Store.

At this point I'm calling shenanigans. YMMV.

Quoted post said:

On Mar 2, 8:43 am, "Ozark Bicycle"

Quoted message said:

Autusta Police are in the same boat. They were able to tell me
exactly where it should be, in reference to two businesses across the
street. The officer I spoke with had no knowledge of there being a
business across the street, and seemed to think if it was a business
it was being run out of a house. I find it hard to imagine a house-
based store has enough of an inventory to warrant a web-based sale of
in-stock bikes.

I did a google earth search on the address to get a satellite view.
Unfortunately it lists the location in the middle of the road.
Looking on either side it does look like there might be a business
there.

Quoted message said:

Calling the # listed for Jeromes in the email goes to a voicemail
stating all lines are busy and to try later or contact via email,
which is a free yahoo address as opposed to an addy that ties in with
their website. The way the voice says "bicycles" (hear: bee see
kles) makes it clear it's an automated voice.

Google searching the phone # in the email results in two hits. One
references Jack's Cycling Store, and the other Norman's Cycling Store.

That sounds very fishy to me. Maybe this scam has been pulled off
before with those two names?
---------------
Alex

Quoted message said:

I got this on an email email today.
http://jeromesbikes.freehostia.com/index.htm?

FWIW, the website looks like a classic "template" for a faux bike shop. All
the clues are there.

Bill "scent o' rat" S.

Quoted post said:

On Mar 2, 8:43 am, "Ozark Bicycle"

Quoted message said:

On Mar 2, 6:34 am, "[email hidden]" <[email hidden]> wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I got this on an email email today.http://jeromesbikes.freehostia.com/index.htm?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Andres

Quoted message said:

Call these folks and ask:

Quoted message said:

Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce
21 University Dr
Augusta, Maine 04330
207-623-4559

Quoted message said:

Good luck!

Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce has no listing or reference to
Jeromes. They've had many calls, but know nothing.

Autusta Police are in the same boat. They were able to tell me
exactly where it should be, in reference to two businesses across the
street. The officer I spoke with had no knowledge of there being a
business across the street, and seemed to think if it was a business
it was being run out of a house. I find it hard to imagine a house-
based store has enough of an inventory to warrant a web-based sale of
in-stock bikes.

Augusta Attorney General has been busy for the past hour.

Calling the # listed for Jeromes in the email goes to a voicemail
stating all lines are busy and to try later or contact via email,
which is a free yahoo address as opposed to an addy that ties in with
their website. The way the voice says "bicycles" (hear: bee see
kles) makes it clear it's an automated voice.

Google searching the phone # in the email results in two hits. One
references Jack's Cycling Store, and the other Norman's Cycling Store.

At this point I'm calling shenanigans. YMMV.

Yep, sure sounds like a scam at this point.

I just wonder why on earth they chose a place like Augusta, Maine as
the mythical location (???).

Alex said:

I did a google earth search on the address to get a satellite view.
Unfortunately it lists the location in the middle of the road.
Looking on either side it does look like there might be a business
there.

I did the same with G-Earth & G-Map sattelite view with the same
results. Unfortunately you can't get much of a Zoom up in those
parts.

Quoted message said:

That sounds very fishy to me. Maybe this scam has been pulled off
before with those two names?

That's what I'm thinking.

Bill Sornson said:

FWIW, the website looks like a classic "template" for a faux bike shop. All
the clues are there.

First time I've seen this particular scam/template, good to know.

Ozark Bicycle said:

Yep, sure sounds like a scam at this point.

I agree. I'm not sure if I'm happy or sad. I really can't afford yet
another bike, but I sure would like to have another all the same...

Quoted message said:

I just wonder why on earth they chose a place like Augusta, Maine as
the mythical location (???).- Hide quoted text -

Pure speculation, but perhaps because it's far enough off the beaten
path for someone to readily drive by & check (i.e. NYC or Seattle,
where cyclists are everywhere) but still in the US. Maine probably
doesn't have the most active cycling community ever seen.

In article <[email hidden]>,

Bill Sornson said:

Quoted message said:

I got this on an email email today.
http://jeromesbikes.freehostia.com/index.htm?

FWIW, the website looks like a classic "template" for a faux bike shop. All
the clues are there.

Bill "scent o' rat" S.

Indeed. The Google Earth picture is very clear and detailed but as
someone else pointed out, the address is located in the middle of a four
lane. There are a couple of buildings nearby that could house
businesses.

Jerome's is not listed as a dealer on the Litespeed Web site, but they
list Litespeed as one of their brands. They are not listed as a Trek
dealer on Trek's Web site, but Jerome's lists Trek as one of their
brands. And finally, ditto for Specialized. Shockingly, they are also
not listed as a dealer on the Cannondale Web site.

Enough "detective" work. It's probably a scam. Time to send e-mails to
the respective manufacturers and to the Web hosting company notifying
them of this Web site. If it's legit, they'll be fine.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I got this on an email email
today.http://jeromesbikes.freehostia.com/index.htm?

I was wondering the same thing, and they're only 2 hours from my
house. If weather and schedule permit I may drive up there and check
it out in person this weekend. I'll post back if I do.

Don't bother; already done & answered here-
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=260632

I got the same email, by the way.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

Quoted post said:

Alex said:

I did a google earth search on the address to get a satellite view.
Unfortunately it lists the location in the middle of the road.
Looking on either side it does look like there might be a business
there.

I did the same with G-Earth & G-Map sattelite view with the same
results. Unfortunately you can't get much of a Zoom up in those
parts.

Quoted message said:

That sounds very fishy to me. Maybe this scam has been pulled off
before with those two names?

That's what I'm thinking.

Bill Sornson said:

FWIW, the website looks like a classic "template" for a faux bike shop. All
the clues are there.

First time I've seen this particular scam/template, good to know.

On Mar 2, 12:59 pm, "Ozark Bicycle"

Quoted message said:

Yep, sure sounds like a scam at this point.

I agree. I'm not sure if I'm happy or sad. I really can't afford yet
another bike, but I sure would like to have another all the same...

Quoted message said:

I just wonder why on earth they chose a place like Augusta, Maine as
the mythical location (???).- Hide quoted text -

Pure speculation, but perhaps because it's far enough off the beaten
path for someone to readily drive by & check (i.e. NYC or Seattle,
where cyclists are everywhere) but still in the US. Maine probably
doesn't have the most active cycling community ever seen.

Earlier, you said Augusta was only 2 hours from your house. Where are
you located?

Mike Jacoubowsky said:

Don't bother; already done & answered here-http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=260632

I got the same email, by the way.

Thanks Mike. I had already decided it looked scammish and wasn't
going to, but it's nice to have the for-sure now so I don't have to
fight the urge to go make sure all weekend.

Ozark Bicycle said:

Earlier, you said Augusta was only 2 hours from your house. Where are
you located?

Dover, NH.

Quoted post said:

On Mar 2, 1:28 pm, "Ozark Bicycle"

Quoted message said:

Earlier, you said Augusta was only 2 hours from your house. Where are
you located?

Dover, NH.

A very nice area. I had some pleasant rides up the NH/Maine coast.

Bill Sornson said:

Quoted message said:

I got this on an email email today.
http://jeromesbikes.freehostia.com/index.htm?

FWIW, the website looks like a classic "template" for a faux bike shop. All
the clues are there.

Bill "scent o' rat" S.

I looked at the web site. They were offering just about every model
of Cannondale, Trek, Specialized, Lightspeed bike at really suspicious
prices.
It's hard to imagine a bike shop anywhere in the 'populous' state of
Main would have enough traffic for a stock like that.

Also, they said they'd be glad to ship any complete Cannondale free of
charge, which would violate any bike shops agreements with Cannondale.

If it looks to good to be true, it usually is. BTW, the web site has
been take off line too.

Quoted message said:

I got this on an email email today. http://jeromesbikes.freehostia.com/index.htm?

Andres

Join the crowd. But I doubt that it's phishing, just someone harvested
e-mail addresses --- from here, probably --- for their spam.

--

David L. Johnson

"What am I on? I'm on my bike, six hours a day, busting my ass. What
are you on?" --Lance Armstrong

Ozark Bicycle said:

Quoted post said:

On Mar 2, 1:28 pm, "Ozark Bicycle"

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Earlier, you said Augusta was only 2 hours from your house. Where are
you located?

Quoted message said:

Dover, NH.

A very nice area. I had some pleasant rides up the NH/Maine coast.

Thanks, we're very happy here. I'm from northeastern MA, and the
better half & I spent time in Boston & Salem before buying. The costs
in MA pushed us into NH, but now that we're there I'm grateful (even
if the commute is a bit much). I'm still fairly new to the area,
anything in particular you'd suggest I avoid missing? I'm still at
the point where I pick a totally different route every time I ride the
roads.

David L. Johnson said:

Quoted message said:

I got this on an email email today. http://jeromesbikes.freehostia.com/index.htm?

Andres

Join the crowd. But I doubt that it's phishing, just someone harvested
e-mail addresses --- from here, probably --- for their spam.

6 months ago the same scammers were Calling themselves Gerrards
Cycling Store in Wyoming. Same web site same [censored].
I sent them some emails and actually got a response. I was having a
little fun with them.
This is the correspondece I had with them. It reads in reverse since
I cut and pasted off a email.

Gerrard's Cycling Store <[email hidden]> wrote:

No

Robert Masse <[email hidden]> wrote:

Do you have one with a Ultegra Gruppo?

Gerrard's Cycling Store <[email hidden]> wrote:

No

Robert Masse <[email hidden]> wrote:

Can we exchange the DuraAce for Tiagra?

Gerrard's Cycling Store <[email hidden]>
wrote:

DuraAce

Robert Masse <[email hidden]> wrote:

Which Gruppo does that bike come with?

Gerrard's Cycling Store
<[email hidden]> wrote:

yes

Robert Masse <[email hidden]> wrote:

That's great. One more thing, Can
You put Brooks b17 saddles on it instead of the stock saddle?

Let me know.

Gerrard's Cycling Store
<[email hidden]> wrote:

Yes,

Robert Masse <[email hidden]>
wrote:

Can you put 700 x 28 size
tires on for me instead of the stock size tires?

Thanks

Gerrard's Cycling Store
<[email hidden]> wrote:

Dear customer,

We have it available.

We would like to make a
fast and secure transaction.

We have used escrow.com in
the past and we received payments after 3 weeks after our customers
told them to send us payments. We will not use this company anymore.

We have found a very good
company who can handle shipping too and that works as a Third Party
Company. We have worked with them for 5 months and we are satisfied
with them.

The company is WBT Express
Shipping and their web site is www.wbt-expressshipping.com . Please
take a look and make a decision (Read the HOW IT WORKS section). We
accept to support their fees.

It will take 7 days the
bike to arrive at your door.

We look forward for your
reply,

Peter Robinson,
Sales Dep.,
Gerrard's Cycling Store,
address: 2250 Etchepare
Dr., Cheyenne, WY, 82007, USA
toll free number:
800-961-4139
website:
www.gerrardsbikes.net
email:
[email hidden]

Robert Masse
<[email hidden]> wrote:

I am looking at the
Litespeed Blade in size 62 if you have it. thanks

Price + shipping to
California

Gerrard's Cycling
Store <[email hidden]> wrote:

Dear customer,

Thank you for your
interest in our bikes. THIS IS A STOCK LIMIT
OFFER!!! We give
this discount because we are liquidating the 2006
stock.

We have all sizes
and colors available in stock right now with this model.

The buy it now
price for the complete bike is listed on our website.
In this price all
shipment costs are included. We ship the bike fully
assembled.

We would like to
make a safe transaction and we prefer to use a Third
Party Company
(escrow company) to handle this transaction and both to
be protected from
fraud. We will support all the fees for a fast
transaction.

If you decide to
buy it now, please email us imediately with THE
MODEL, SIZE AND
COLOR and we will give you more details.

You can check our
website at www.gerrardsbikes.net

We look forward
for your reply,

Peter Robinson,
Sales Dep.,
Gerrard's Cycling
Store,
address: 2250
Etchepare Dr., Cheyenne, WY, 82007, USA
toll free number:
800-961-4139
website:
www.gerrardsbikes.net
email:
[email hidden]

--
Have a nice ride!

Quoted message said:

I got this on an email email today.
http://jeromesbikes.freehostia.com/index.htm?

Andres

Those guys are FAST! As quickly as one server's taken down, another one goes
up. Wonder how many people get taken by something like that?

--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com
Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA