Scammers Impersonating Farm Equipment Businesses

HAYESVILLE, N.C. — The Clay County Sheriff’s Office is warning local farmers and equipment buyers about a nationwide impersonation scam the Federal Trade Commission says is targeting people shopping for tractors and other farm machinery.

Scammers posing as farm equipment businesses advertise tractors and other equipment online at attractive prices, then collect deposits or full payment and never deliver the machines, according to an FTC consumer alert dated Sept. 15.

The scheme often begins on social media or in online search results. A buyer sees an ad for a tractor that appears to come from a legitimate dealer — sometimes a company the buyer has used before. After the buyer makes contact, the seller sends a purchase agreement and invoice and typically asks for thousands of dollars, usually by wire transfer, as a deposit or full payment. A delivery date is scheduled.

The equipment never arrives. The seller stops responding or invents an excuse, such as a problem with the delivery truck. The buyer is left without the tractor and without the money.

The FTC and local authorities say buyers can reduce the risk by checking any ad before sending money. Social media platforms do not always vet advertisements. Search the company name plus the words “scam” or “complaint.” The first results that appear may be paid ads placed by scammers who use a real business’s name but their own contact information. Scroll past those ads to unpaid results to confirm the correct website and phone number.

Officials also warn never to send money to anyone who insists payment can be made only by wire transfer, gift card, cryptocurrency or a payment app. Those methods make it nearly impossible to recover funds once they are sent.

Anyone who believes they have been targeted or lost money should report it to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and file a complaint with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.