Beware the scam

Over the past several months we've noticed an increase in a pretty sophisticated scam that involves your equipment.  According to our member Brian Kushniroff from Ogema Tractor Parts in Wisconsin this is how it works

The scammer creates a fake website and or a Facebook Page and populates that page with your equipment photos.  The scammer has been on your site or page and simply steals the images.  Once the scammer has those he will start to market his "products".  This can be done directly to people who you may have as FB Friends or folks that belong to a group of tractor equipment traders.  In addition the scammer will use key words in searches and may even reach out to get positive Google reviews on his fake website.

Now when the unsuspecting consumer sees a piece of equipment they want, which is usually thousands of dollars less than it should be, and makes contact with the scammer the scam is on.  The scammer will sound legit and make sure he has the right shipping information and then askes for payment.  Often the scammer will even ask for a deposit to give you confidence that things are OK.  But be careful because they will ask for a ACH payment.  Cash from your bank going to theirs. ACH transactions are very difficult to track.  And, once the money is gone there is no way to claw it back.

So why are we sharing this with you?  Because as a member of NTPDA you have credibility.  As you know, when we receive an application for membership we will check the physical location using Google Maps, check with other members and then send out that membership application so all of you can see who is applying.  While we don't, as an association, make any warranty claims the customer knows that YOU are legit and that makes the difference.

Thank you for being a Member...it does matter.

Michael & Kim