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• Fake check scammers zero in on hay sellers

"Anyone selling online or in a publication duplicated from online should know that criminals around the world scan those ads figuring out how to scam you," says Secretary of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Rod Nilsestuen.

Nilsestuen says Wisconsin consumers have been ripped off selling cars, motorcycles, antique fire engines, tractors, horses and dogs.

The common denominator is that the criminals always send you a check for more than you are asking and then instruct you to wire the excess to a third party. The fake checks may not be exposed until weeks after being deposited in banks.

According to haybarn.com, scammers are zeroing in on hay sellers who are at their busiest this time of year. Haybarn.com says the scams have some or all of these characteristics:

* Offering payment by cashier's check or money order only.

* Insisting on paying more than you're asking.

* Asking you to wire cash on to a third party, such as the hay shipper.

Look for these additional warning flags, any of which should make you suspicious:

* Poor spelling and odd word choices in the communication.

* Lack of knowledge or interest in the hay itself.

* Unusual name, unusual e-mail address.

* Refusing to speak by phone; insisting on corresponding by e-mail only.

"Bottom line," says Nilsestuen, "be wary of strangers who want to send you checks for more money than you are asking and then want you to wire money to someone else."

For more information, call the toll free hotline of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection: 1-800-422-7128.