Valentine's Day romance scams, how to protect yourself
LOUISIANA (KTAL/KMSS) — Valentine's Day, a time to celebrate love, is quickly approaching, and the U.S. Postal Service and Inspection Service are reminding customers to be cautious of potential 'romance scams' during this season of affection.
The day of romance can be a reminder to shower friends and family with lovely gifts, kind words, and grand gestures. However, it can be a reminder for individuals of their single relationship status, and unfortunately, this creates an opening for scammers to take advantage of vulnerable individuals.
'People conducting online imposter scams frequently spin the same lines or tell the same backstory over and over,' says U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
USPS says these scams often start online but frequently escalate to requests for money or valuables sent through the mail, leading to devastating financial and emotional losses for victims.
'Protecting the sanctity and integrity of the mail is our top priority,' said USPIS Chief Postal Inspector Gary Barksdale. 'This includes protecting customers from mail-related crimes, including fraudulent schemes like romance scams. Public awareness is critical in stopping these criminals before they cause harm.'
Don't be scammed by romantic lies, federal investigators warn
How romance scams work according to U.S. Postal Service:
Scammers create fake identities, often using stolen photos and fictitious personal details, like the Netflix show, 'Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare.'
They cultivate online relationships over weeks or months, building trust through social media, dating apps, or email, and pledge their love early on.
Once trust is established, they fabricate urgent financial needs – such as medical emergencies, travel expenses, or business problems – to solicit money.
Victims are pressured into sending cash, checks, wire transfers, or gift cards, making recovery difficult once the fraud is detected.
How to protect yourself, tips by the USPIS:
Be cautious of online relationships that escalate quickly, especially if the individual avoids in-person meetings or video calls.
Look for inconsistencies in the person's profile and the information they share. Keep your personal information private.
Never send money, checks, gift cards, or personal finance information to someone you haven't met.
Be suspicious of requests for secrecy or urgent financial help.
If you think it's a scam, cut off communication immediately and report it.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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