Latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Midlands

COLUMBIA, SC (WACH) - South Carolina forestry officials say cases of timber fraud are on the rise in this state.

The losses are impacting the state's multi-billion dollar timber industry that generates more than $17 billion annually.

With many people struggling to make ends meet in these tough economic times, the prospect of making some quick cash is luring some landowners into making deals that are too good to be true.

"It's starting to build up and build up," said David West, chief of the SC Forestry Commission's law enforcement division. "At one time our complaints were down to $4000 or $5000. Now they're coming in at up to $49,000."

South Carolina Forestry Commission law enforcement officers investigate more than 200 cases of timber theft and fraud every year, totaling more than $2 million in losses. This year, West says the number is up over last year.

Very often, investigators say buyers are targeting the elderly making them promises that sound great if someone doesn't truly know what their land, and what's on it, is worth.

West says people are signing contracts that are well below the true value of the lumber on their land. Many are facing situations where they need quick money to pay the bills and they aren't doing their homework before making a deal on their land and timber it holds.

"We've got people signing contracts for $2 a ton," said West. "Really and truly we can't do anything for them unless it's a vulnerable adult. And the definition of a vulnerable adult is a tough one to handle. Know what you're selling. Know what you have in the yard."

West describes timber prices as a "roller coaster" that goes up and down just like any other commodity that needs to be monitored.

Investigators are also seeing cases where they say landowners aren't being paid at all. Earlier this month, Forestry Commission investigators recently charged a timber harvester, James Lafayette Weldon, Jr., with failing to pay a landowner for wood removed from his property. The case involved law enforcement personnel from South Carolina and Georgia.

The Commission expects the number of victims in the case to rise and is asking that anyone who has done business with Weldon to come forward.

Authorities say Weldon, of Madison, Georgia, owes an Abbeville County landowner approximately $27,000 for wood he removed from a landowner's property between March and May of this year.

South Carolina law dictates that harvesters have 45 days to pay landowners for their share of the revenue generated by their timber. Failure to pay led to felony charges in this case due to the large amount of money owed.

"We have a lot of good people out there working," said West. "But, the old saying goes, a couple bad apples ruin the bunch."

West says before doing business with anyone, landowners can call the SC Forestry Commission at 803-896-8800. Officials can provide landowners with a list of reputable buyers and dealers and offer them tips on how to avoid being a victim.

To avoid becoming a victim of fraud or theft, forestry officials advise landowners to follow some simple guidelines:

- Know your timber's current value, prices change from year to year, and season to season.

- Get more than one bid.

- If you don't live on the land, visit or ask someone to check it regularly.

- Beware if you are approached by an unsolicited buyer.

- Beware if a buyer tries to pressure you into a quick sale.