Latest news with #GaryBarksdale
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Yahoo
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.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Yahoo
USPS, U.S. Postal Inspection Service warn of romance scams
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark., (KNWA/KFTA) — The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) urge consumers this Valentine's Day season to be aware of romance scams. These scams aim at cultivating online relationships with those seeking companionship but with a secret goal of enticing victims to send cash, gift cards or checks for 'urgent financial needs.' According to USPS, it is ramping up efforts to educate Americans on how to spot and avoid mail fraud scams. USPS Fayetteville location gets millions to sustain center 'Protecting the sanctity and integrity of the mail is our top priority. This includes protecting customers from mail-related crimes, including fraudulent schemes like romance scams,' said Gary Barksdale, USPIS Chief Postal Inspector. Experts encourage the public to take extra caution against escalating online relationships, suspicious requests or any inconsistencies. If you or someone you know has been targeted by a romance scam, contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, local law enforcement and the Federal Trade Commission. For more information on romance scams click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Yahoo
USPS warns of romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day
The United States Postal service is warning consumers about romance scams that target people seeking companionship ahead of Valentine's Day. USPS and the Postal Inspection Service says these schemes involve fraudsters targeting people in hopes of causing serious financial and emotional harm. Thee scams typically start online, with criminals creating fake identities and building trust with victims through social media, dating apps or email. Once a relationship is established, scammers fabricate urgent financial needs and pressure victims into sending money, gift cards or wire transfers. USPS officials say the public should be cautious of online relationships that escalate quickly, especially if the person avoids in-person meetings or video calls. They recommend never sending money or financial information to someone you have not met in person, and being wary of secrecy or sudden urgent financial requests. '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.' USPS and USPIS are ramping up efforts to combat mail fraud through public awareness campaigns and law enforcement initiatives, which Barksdale says is 'critical in stopping these criminals before they cause harm.' Victims of romance scams involving the mail are encouraged to report incidents to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and to notify their local law enforcement agency and the Federal Trade Commission. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
