Hay sellers beware-don't get scammed!

[RandB]

A version of this article was in our local area farm paper - there seems to be a new hay buying scam, involving e-mail.

http://www.hotscams.com/articles/822...ase/Page1.html

[bqz]

I say sir " will that be cash or... cash today"

[zookeeper16]

And just deal with neighbors you can trust!

[Calfkeeper]

They, the scammers, troll the hay boards. My DH advertised looking to buy hay and was contacted (by email) by at least two scammers wanting to buy hay from him. It's like they didn't even read the ad.

[Ken Scharabok]

Another variation of the Nigerian freight forwarding scam. Normally they would make no effort to pick up the merchandise. Their profit is the amount you were to send to the freight forwarder.

I got taken with a fake money order. Scanned a low-amount Western Union money order in their PC, then changed the dollar amount to the actual sale amount. When I received it I just double checked the amount and put it on the checks/mos to be deposited pile. When I got it back another look revealed it was obviously a fake. I just didn't take the time to examine it. Reportedly Western Union is a favorite company to do this with as they will take no action against them.

I now try to closely examine all checks and money orders.

May have avoided a bad check. Buyer purchased my most expensive eBay item and sent a personal check. When received he wanted immediate shipment. Had a very low feedback record. I advised him I'd deposit the check and ship after 21 days if it didn't come back from the bank. He protested it would take no longer than 5 days to clear. Well, I've checks come back over a month after deposit. Sent his check back to him and reported the transaction to eBay as payment not received. That kept him from leaving negative feedback.

[james dilley]

Used to sell hay in the mid 80's Only had ONE bad check, The Teller at the bank informed me the folks did NOT have enough to cover the check. They were $10.00 short. The Teller went Ahead and gave me cash. Then I had A person I was bailing on halfs with. He sold A load ,And I did NOT get paid, I called the Buyer A week later, He told me he paid by check. Even offered A copy, The Other person Fiannely paid me After 3 months. After that it was cash or Livestock.

[Beef11]

I should have one of those fake money orders showing up anyday. My other hobby is tormenting crooks. Alot of scamming in the pet industry. I get them to email me and i string them along as long as possible before they realize i'm just wasting their time. Most are in Africa and are paying to use computers at internet cafes.

[Jan in CO]

I received a call through the TTN network, to help people with hearing disabilities communicate with those who can hear, asking about puppies I had advertised on the internet. I could tell it was a scam from the beginning, but strung the person along until they sent the money orders for payment plus shipping, asking me to immediately cash them and wire the additional cash to England to their 'agent', who would then contact the person who would pick up the puppy from me and ship it to the buyer, on a small French Island. Yeah, right. Waaaay too many people involved, the buyer didn't ask any of the usual questions someone buying a dog would ask, and the grammar and spelling were obviously from a foreigner. I still have those money orders, and they look very real to me! Too bad they are taking advantage of a program that is in place to help people who really need it! Jan in Co