Department of Agriculture Warns Farmers to Be Aware of Scammers Targeting Producers Selling Hay

 

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF) would like to warn Oklahomans about a scam being run against individuals who have hay for sale.

 

A producer recently notified ODAFF about scammers contacting hay sellers. 

 

Jack Carson, Market Development Coordinator with ODAFF, said that the scams vary, but often share similarities. For example: The supposed hay buyer will send the seller a check in excess of the amount the hay is being sold for and then ask the seller to wire the extra money somewhere else. The scammers explain the overpayment by saying they need to cover taxes or shipping costs; however, then the check bounces and the scammer already has the money wired to them. The hay seller can then be left to pay the money back to the bank.

 

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