Ag commish: Farmers target of e-mail scam

Louisiana farmers are the target of the latest e-mail scam circulating, according to Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain.

“It appears the scam is widely aimed at hay producers and often involves fraudulent cashier’s checks or money orders,” he said. “The buyer sends the money, usually for more than the asking price of the hay, the farmer deposits the check and sends the additional funds back to the buyer but later finds out the check wasn’t good.”

Strain said other states’ agriculture agencies have reported that scammers are using Market Bulletin ads and classified ad publications to contact hay sellers. Contact is usually limited to e-mail exclusively, he said.

Online, www.Haybarn.com offers the following warning signs of a scam:

• Offering payment by cashier’s check or money order only.

• Insisting on paying more than the asking price.

• Asking for cash to be sent to a third party.

• Poor spelling and odd word choices.

• Lack of knowledge or interest in the hay itself.