The United States Postal Service (USPS) and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) issue warnings about the risk of romance scams as Valentine’s Day approaches.
Romance scams are deceptive frauds that prey on individuals seeking companionship.
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Officials said the scams, which often begin online, can lead to significant financial and emotional losses for victims when they escalate to requests for money or valuables sent through the mail.
Romance scams typically involve scammers creating fake identities using stolen photos and fictitious personal details.
The scammers then build online relationships over weeks or months, gaining trust through social media, dating apps, or email, and often declare their love early in the relationship.
Once they establish trust, romance scammers fabricate urgent financial needs, such as medical emergencies or travel expenses, to solicit money from their victims.
The victims are then pressured into sending cash, checks, wire transfers, or gift cards, making recovery difficult once the fraud is detected.
To protect yourself, officials suggest individuals be cautious of online relationships that escalate quickly, especially if the individual avoids in-person meetings or video calls.
Individuals must look for inconsistencies in the person’s profile and the information they share and keep their personal information private.
You must never send money, checks, gift cards, or personal finance information to someone you haven’t met in person.
Also, be suspicious of requests for secrecy or urgent financial help. If you suspect a scam, officials suggest cutting off communication immediately and reporting it.
USPS and USPIS said they are increasing public outreach efforts to help Americans recognize and avoid mail fraud.
Officials said they are spreading awareness through multiple channels, including social media platforms, where USPIS shares public service announcements and prevention messaging.
Their website also provides updated scam alerts, prevention tips, and reporting tools.
The official USPS podcast, "Mailin' It!" features postal inspectors sharing true-crime stories about real cases, highlighting the importance of staying informed and vigilant.
Additionally, USPIS runs a social media campaign called “Wanted Wednesdays,” spotlighting wanted criminals involved in postal-related crimes.
Fraud prevention webinars and public events are also held to educate communities on emerging scam tactics.
If you or someone you know has been targeted by a romance scam involving the mail, report it to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at www.uspis.gov/report.
Victims should also notify their local law enforcement agency and the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
