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BBB: Watch out for used farm equipment scams

By HPJ staff
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Massey Ferguson 4700 utility tractor. (Courtesy photo.)

The Better Business Bureau is alerting consumers nationwide to a sophisticated scam involving a fake online retailer impersonating a legitimate Missouri business, Cook Equipment & Trucking, based in Marble Hill, Missouri.

Consumers from across the United States have reported losing more than $223,000 after attempting to purchase heavy equipment and farm machinery through fraudulent websites and Facebook Marketplace ads. Victims say they were ghosted after wiring money for equipment that never arrived.

The real Cook Equipment & Trucking, a small business operating since 2010, confirmed it has no website and is not affiliated with any online sales. The impersonators have registered three fake websites, the most recent on July 14, and continue to run deceptive ads on social media.

“Those shopping for heavy equipment and vehicles online should do their due diligence so they don’t fall victim to a virtual vehicle vendor scam,” said Michelle L. Corey, BBB St. Louis president and CEO. “If an item is priced well below market value, that’s a red flag.”

Reported losses to BBB include:

  • $45,000 – Oak Hills, California (skid steer loader)
  • $32,000 – Hancock, Michigan (excavator)
  • $29,500 – Amanda, Ohio (trailer)
  • $29,000 – Greenville, North Carolina (trailer)
  • $28,000 – Eastman, Wisconsin (skid steer loader)
  • $31,000 – Des Moines, Iowa (excavator)
  • $29,000 – Blue, Arizona (skid steer)

Best practices

  • To avoid online purchase scams, the BBB recommends several best practices for due diligence.
    Research the business at BBB.org or call your local BBB.
  • Be skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true.
  • Verify the website and contact the business directly.
  • Read all terms and understand refund policies.
  • Use a credit card for added protection.
  • Report scams to BBB Scam Tracker, your state attorney general, the FTC, and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. Also notify the social media platform where the fraud was discovered.

For more insights, see BBB’s 2024 study on virtual vehicle vendor scams.

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