Updated 5/09/05

Producers, please be aware that there is a NEW scam on the internet which involves altered United States Postal Money Orders.  We ourselves have been contacted by a party known to us as THOMAS SMITH via an initial and subsequent SPRINT RELAY CALL (service for the deaf and hard of hearing) and then via email (lyn_gray001@yahoo.com).  This THOMAS SMITH then orders hay and states that he will be sending Postal Money Orders, which he does, however, they sent FEDEX via London.  The party who signs as the shipper is NOT Thomas Smith.  In our instance, it was J. Fisk.  In our case the issuer of the Money Order was Rene Coulter of Rossville GA.  The Money Orders are in the amount of $1,000 each. We deposited them into our accounts and the Bank stated that they were legitimate USPS Money Orders.  Once they are able to confirm that Fedex has delivered the package, they then inform you that they have sent you an overage, in our case the overage was $650.00.  We were then instructed that we would forward via Western Union the balance owing to a Freight Forwarder in London.  When we were sent the wiring instructions, it was OBVIOUS that it was a private party and NOT a Freight Forwarder, at this point, we contacted our regional Postal Inspector for assistance.  We were told that the Money Orders, while at one time were legitimate, had already been purchased in the amount of $329.06 in 10/04 and cashed in 10/04.  These Money orders are now counterfeit.  The Postal Inspector has told us that this is a scam originating out of Nigeria.  Apparently it is the same scam which caught many Producers with Certified Cashier's Checks last year.  Fortunately for us we caught onto this scam and we are not out any money. 

The safest way to receive payment for your hay is to accept payments via PAYPAL, wire transfers or by accepting major credit cards.  DO NOT ACCEPT MONEY ORDERS (ANY), CERTIFIED CHECKS OR PERSONAL CHECKS (unless you personally know the party from whom they are issued). 

IF YOU RECEIVE ANY CONTACTS VIA ANY OF THE METHODS STATED ABOVE THE UNITED STATES POSTAL INSPECTOR'S OFFICE REQUESTS THAT YOU CONTACT THEM DIRECTLY

        SEATTLE REGION POSTAL INSPECTOR

DAVE BREAULT

206-442-6320 (direct line)