As Valentine’s Day approaches this Friday, Feb. 14, scammers ramp up efforts to exploit those looking for love or the perfect gift. Authorities and consumer protection agencies are warning about a surge in romance scams targeting unsuspecting victims.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has issued a warning to the public to be wary of “romance scams” designed to take advantage of people under the pretext of romance, and steal their money.
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Typically, these romance scammers use fake identities with stolen photographs, and fabricated details, to form online relationships with victims. Once they gain their victim’s trust, they start asking for money through cash transfers, checks, gift cards, or wire payments—sometimes even asking for valuables to be sent by mail. Such scams not only affect victims financially, but often also leave them emotionally devastated.
“Protecting the sanctity and integrity of the mail is our top priority,” said USPS 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.”
With online dating more popular than ever, experts urge caution, emphasizing red flags such as requests for financial help, rushed declarations of love, and refusal to meet in person.
The Maryland Better Business Bureau has also issued a warning against Valentine’s Day scams.
“It’s the time of year for scammers,” said Clay Campbell from the Better Business Bureau, as he elaborated on how scammers are “opportunistic people,” who would take advantage of people’s emotions. He also warned against fake websites that purported to scam people buying items like chocolates, flowers, and other gifts for Valentine’s Day.
“You don’t want to pay with your credit card unless there’s a secured page,” Campbell said, advising people to check the URLs of such websites. Phishing emails and texts posing as popular retailers may also trick people into sharing personal or financial information.
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In order to avoid such scams, people are also advised to be cautious of online relationships that escalate quickly, watch out for inconsistencies in personal details, and be cautious while giving out private information.
It is also advisable to avoid sending money to people you haven’t met in person, and to exercise caution during any financial transactions. If something feels suspicious, trust your instincts and report potential scams to authorities.