Seller says their escrow is “bonded and licensed.”

Anyone can say that. Create the deal yourself on a site you chose, or walk. escrowhaven does not claim to be a licensed escrow agent — inspect before you pay, approve release only when you're satisfied.

Skid steer purchases without fake escrow or prepaid wires

Skid steers and compact track loaders draw “fleet buyer” fake-escrow plays and wire-for-freight schemes. Serial plates and hour meters are your friends — prepaid wires are not.

How this category gets scammed

Fake escrow for excavators / loaders

Documented Facebook Marketplace pattern: corporate-sounding buyer or seller pushes a random escrow domain and forges release documents.

Source: ScamLens — fake escrow

Dealer-published payment fraud lists

Equipment dealers publish guides naming payment and escrow fraud among top categories to watch on used iron.

Source: McCann Industries — scams to look out for

What to check before you buy

•Serial / PIN vs listing and maintenance records
•Hour meter plausibility vs wear
•Hydraulic leak and undercarriage / tire condition
•Reject unknown escrow websites
•Buyer-arranged freight only

How handoff usually works

Yard inspection or dealer consignment lots are common. For private remote sales, hire transport and keep funds protected until the unit is on your ground and matches the deal.

Typical price band & fee

Rough private-party range: $15,000– $25,000. On a $22,000 example, 1.99% is $437.80 — only if the deal completes. If it doesn't, we're paid nothing.

FAQ

Seller says their escrow is “bonded and licensed.”: Anyone can say that. Create the deal yourself on a site you chose, or walk. escrowhaven does not claim to be a licensed escrow agent — inspect before you pay, approve release only when you're satisfied.