The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning about a new scam targeting folks shopping for heavy trucks and farm equipment online.
What's happening: Scammers are pretending to be Cook Equipment & Trucking, a real dealer in Marble Hill, Missouri. They set up fake websites and run ads on Facebook that look legit.
- The real Cook Equipment & Trucking says they do not sell anything online and have no website.
- Victims from across the country report paying for equipment such as skid steers and trailers. After sending money, they never get the machines—and never hear back.
- Losses reported to the BBB add up to over $223,000, including single transactions as high as $45,000.
Where it happened: Reports have come in from California, Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Arizona.
Red flags: BBB says watch for deals priced way below market, and always double-check business info before buying. “If an item is priced well below market value, that’s a red flag,” said Michelle L. Corey from BBB St. Louis.
The BBB recommends researching any dealer at BBB.org and calling the business directly—not just using contacts from an ad. More on the scam and how to avoid it can be found according to the BBB.