Unfortunately, we have a new scam making the rounds, and this time, scammers are targeting our farmers, ranchers and agricultural community.
This is a sophisticated “man-in-the-middle” fraud scheme targeting agricultural producers, brokers and people purchasing hay through online marketplaces.
Here’s how the scam works:
1. A scammer orders hay from a legitimate farmer using a stolen credit card or compromised bank account.
2. At the same time, the scammer posts a fake ad for that same hay at a below-market price on Facebook Marketplace.
3. An unsuspecting buyer responds to the ad and pays the scammer, often through a payment app such as Zelle.
4. The scammer gives the buyer’s address to the farmer, who delivers the hay.
5. Everyone thinks the transaction is complete — until the farmer’s original payment is reversed or flagged as fraudulent.
The scammer disappears with the money, and the farmer is left with the loss.
Important: The person who receives the hay is often an innocent party. They purchased the hay in good faith and may have no idea they were unknowingly involved in a scam.
Protect yourself:
• Be cautious when dealing with unfamiliar or out-of-town buyers.
• Verify who is actually behind a payment before accepting bank transfers, checks or mobile payment apps.
• Consider requiring new customers to use a reputable escrow service or an identity-verified payment or invoicing platform.
• Be suspicious of unusual purchasing arrangements, especially when the person paying for an order is different from the person receiving it.
If you believe you’ve been scammed: Preserve all communications, advertisements, payment records, invoices and other documentation, and report the incident to law enforcement.
Please share this information with the farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers in your life. Awareness can help prevent someone from becoming the next victim.
