Hay scam has producers on alert

The Missouri Department of Agriculture is warning hay producers listed on the Missouri Hay Directory of a scam in which producers are contacted by a supposedly interested buyer.

"Our Missouri Hay Directory has truly been a success for over 10 years, and it is unfortunate that someone is trying to take advantage of our producers," said Katie Smith, director of Missouri Department of Agriculture. "We are asking producers to make good business decisions when dealing with anyone that is contacting them regarding purchasing hay and make sure you have some level of confidence in the buyer and their method of payment."

The Missouri Hay Directory lists producer names, telephone numbers, amounts and types of hay for sale and bale size and shape. The publication divides listings by counties along with listing out-of-state producers and dealers. Smith said the directory is still a good service, especially during drought conditions.

There have been no official victims of the crime as of yet, Smith said.

The way the scam works is that hay producers are contacted by someone claiming they are interested in making a purchase. The producer then receives a substantial check and is asked to wire transfer funds to a truck hauler that will supposedly pick up the bales of hay. The producer then finds out days or sometimes weeks later that the original check has bounced. Smith said the scam is similar to some types of online fraud.

Leo and Gwen Buchheit, producers listed on the directory from Perryville, Mo., said they weren't fooled by the e-mail and still have the upmost confidence in the directory.

"The e-mail the person sent us wasn't asking correct information," Gwen Buchheit said. "It asked us if we ship hay to the Bahamas, which I don't really know what kind of animals they might need hay for in the Bahamas. It also specifically asked if we take cashier's checks, which was a dead giveaway for me because I've dealt with this kind of Internet scamming before [when] trying to buy a car."

Gwen Buchheit said other than the attempt to pay in cashier's checks and send product to the Bahamas, the perpetrator didn't ask enough questions about the Buchheits' hay and used "hays" as the plural form of hay.

Smith said the Missouri Department of Agriculture is taking steps to make sure hay producers are prepared. The department has sent e-mails warning everyone on the directory about the scam and also offered to remove anyone from the directory who wishes to be removed.

For more information regarding the Missouri Hay Directory, visit www.mda.mo.gov.

jsamons@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 197