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Several producers in Saskatchewan have fallen victim to fraud while trying to purchase hay.
The Saskatchewan RCMP is cautioning producers against a hay-purchasing fraud using ads placed on social media and other buy-and-sell platforms.
The advertisements offer hay for purchase but require that payment be sent before buyers see the hay or can have it delivered to them.
Several producers in the province responded to the ads and sent funds before learning the seller was not legitimate, according to an RCMP release.
Chad MacPherson, general manager of the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association, said the situation is disappointing but not surprising.
“There are always people looking to take advantage of situations,” he said. “Given the extreme drought conditions and few choices, producers are looking to buy feed from further away … They’re dealing with people they don’t know and making quick decisions.”
A competitive market for hay mixed with the speedy convenience of e-commerce can help the effectiveness of online scams.
“It’s one of those situations where if you don’t speak for it now, you might not get it,” MacPherson said.
With scammers taking advantage of the good faith of producers seeking feed, MacPherson wants producers to be careful with their online purchases.
“It’s disappointing and frustrating but I guess it’s buyer beware and people need to do their due diligence and try to do what they can to ensure it’s a legitimate transaction,” MacPherson said.
Negative responses to the scammers have come out on social media since the RCMP release was made public.
“Farmers are having a rough time as it is. No rain, no feed which leads to bad circumstances for all,” Florenc Nagy said in a Facebook comment on the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association’s post about the scam.
“Seriously? Scamming farmers in the middle of a drought? That’s a whole new level of scumbaggery,” Lori Gregorash added on the same post.
MacPherson said the scam is “definitely testing people’s will.”
The RCMP is reminding producers and residents in the province to take steps to ensure online transactions completed on social media or buy-and-sell platforms are conducted safely. The Mounties recommend not sending funds until a buyer is able to confirm that products or items being offered are legitimate and delivery has been established.
Those who have been a victim to this scam or know someone who has been are asked to contact their local RCMP or police detachment.
Anyone with information about the fraud is asked to call their local RCMP detachment or Livestock Services Saskatchewan. For an immediate response for those with information about this advisory, call 30-RCMP or Crime Stoppers.