Buying cattle on social media may require more than checking the price and the seller — Alabama agriculture officials are warning buyers to take a close look at the cattle photos, too.
The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries is warning producers and consumers about fraudulent livestock listings on social media.
In recent cases, fake profiles posing as legitimate cattle operations have advertised heifers for sale online. Some buyers have traveled to pick up cattle they believed they had purchased, only to discover the operation had no knowledge of the transaction.
ADAI said the scams have extended beyond state lines.
“Producers and buyers must remain diligent, verify who they are doing business with and take the necessary steps to ensure transactions are legitimate before purchasing,” Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate said. “Protecting our livestock producers and buyers is critical to keeping the integrity of our beef industry strong and resilient.”
Before purchasing livestock online, ADAI recommends buyers verify contact information, request references and confirm the operation is legitimate before completing a financial transaction.
The department also cautions buyers to watch for artificially generated images of cattle that may appear realistic but do not show the actual livestock being offered for sale.
How to spot a potentially fake cattle photo
ADAI said buyers should watch for:
- Unnatural details, including misshapen bodies, missing tails, uneven legs, distorted faces or irregular ear and nostril shapes.
- Backgrounds where fencing, grass or barns appear warped, repeated or unrealistic.
- An overly “perfect” appearance that looks too polished to be real.
- Blurry or uneven edges around the animal, particularly where it meets the background.
- Duplicate or reused images of the same animal in multiple locations.
- A lack of photos showing the full herd, facilities or handling areas.
- No identifying marks, such as brands, ear tags or coloring that would normally distinguish real cattle.
ADAI is also asking state agriculture departments, farm bureaus, cattlemen’s associations and other agricultural organizations to help spread awareness of the scams and protect producers across the agricultural industry.
Anyone who suspects livestock fraud can report it to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Rural Crimes Unit at 334-288-8328 or the Alabama Securities Commission at (334) 242-2984.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
