Alfalfa producers lose thousands of dollars each year because of BOGUS CHECKS. Producers usually feel embarrassed when they find out they have been "taken".   

Many of the buyers who pass "hot" checks for hay are real Pros (or maybe cons) at their racket. Sometimes they have been working at it for years, while at other times, they are just people who have fallen on hard times and are trying to cut corners.   

Here are some of the things to do to "help" avoid this problem:   

$¢ Know who you are dealing with. Obtain all the following information from the buyer: Social Security No., Driver's License No., Description of Driver (eyes, hair, height, weight, age, etc.), Address, Phone Numbers., and Truck Tag Numbers. (and description).  

$¢ Insist on CASH, CERTIFIED CHECK, CASHIERS CHECK, TRAVELERS CHECK, and/or MONEY ORDER, made out to you.   

$¢ Insist on and check out references. This will eliminate many of those trying to pass bad checks. A reference from the buyer's banker to your banker may be better than a verification of his checking account balance -- Is he a reliable citizen in his community?   

$¢ Do business during banking hours. Take the check to your bank immediately.   

$¢ Be sure the checks are made out completely, payable to you, and signed (in front of you) by the person you are dealing with (not someone out-of-state). Accept only FULL PAYMENT (otherwise, you may be agreeing to a "loan").   

$¢ Check with the DA's office for additional information about bogus checks and how to avoid them. There are many things that may help detect "hot" check writers before accepting one.   

$¢ DO NOT ACCEPT partial payment; DO NOT ACCEPT post-dated checks; DO NOT ACCEPT checks signed by someone other than the person accepting the hay); DO NOT ACCEPT third party checks; and DO NOT ACCEPT a "promise" to "bring cash when he gets the next load" (tomorrow may never come).  

Be sure to deal completely openly with all hay buyers. Don't cut corners or hide inferior hay. Don't imply hay is better than it really is. Develop and maintain the reputation of a square dealer yourself. It helps to keep good honest customers.   

• By all means, BE CAREFUL.  
• Make good hay, describe it correctly, and don't give it away by accepting "hot" checks.  
• Remember -- Most deals that seem "too good to be true", probably are!  
• You probably won't unload medium to poor hay for a top price.