February 20, 2020
By News Director Jared Atha
Sheriff Derek Manning says that a new scam has been reported in Beckham County. In a Facebook post, Sheriff Manning says criminals are now posing as hay buyers in order to get local farmers to unknowingly deposit fraudulent checks. He says it works almost exactly like the “sweepstakes scam”.
In this case, the farmer became suspicious because his bank told him the check was no good. He then contacted the buyer back.
The farmer became more suspicious when the guy then tried to get him to deposit the check through a retail checking service. He then called the Sheriff’s Office, and a deputy contacted him.
Manning stressed that whether it’s someone offering to buy hay or cattle, or someone promising prize money or a free car, it’s always smart to be suspicious when they ask you to send money or give personal information.
Manning also added if anyone has any questions or would like to report a possible scam, to contact the Beckham County Sheriff’s Office.
