Love is in the air this time of year, with February underway and Valentine's Day on the horizon - but not everyone has pure intentions.
The USPS and U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) want people to be aware that "romance scams" pick up during this time of year.
Romance scams are a form of fraud that targets people who may be lonely and seeking companionship.
The scams regularly start online, but can progress to a point where people request money or valuables sent through the mail.
Scammers can create fake identities and use stolen photos and other fictitious personal details. They then cultivate relationships online using the fake identity, sometimes taking weeks or months.
Once trust is established, the scammers usually then make up some kind of urgent financial need to try to solicit money from the victim.
The USPS and USPIS have provided some tips on how to protect yourself from this particular type of scam:
- Be cautious of online relationships that escalate quickly, especially if the person 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 in person.
- Be suspicious of requests for secrecy or urgent financial help.
- If you think it's a scam, cut off communication immediately and report it.
For more information about romance scams, visit the USPIS' Romance Scam website.
