If you're a hay producer in Maryland, you should be aware of a scam in which you could be contacted by a supposed buyer who could later cause you to lose thousands of dollars.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture is alerting state hay producers and warning them to use caution when dealing with anyone interested in purchasing hay. Maryland Agriculture Secretary Roger Richardson says it's unfortunate that someone is trying to take advantage of producers. He asks producers to make good business decisions -- and to make sure they have some level of confidence in the buyer and their method of payment.

The warning applies to all hay producers, including those listed on the Maryland Hay and Straw Directory.

The warning could apply to other states as well. According to the announcement from Maryland, producers selling hay and straw in Missouri and likely other states could be contacted by someone claiming they are interested in making a purchase. Typically--in what is described as an overpayment scam--the producers receive a substantial check and, in addition, are asked to wire transfer funds to a truck hauler who will supposedly pick up the bales of hay or straw.

Later, the buyer mails a check to the seller asking the seller to send part of the funds via wire transfer to a hauling company. The producer then finds out days and sometimes weeks later that the original payment has not cleared.

Read more about this report and the Maryland Hay and Straw Directory.

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