COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – As Valentine’s Day draws near, scammers are looking to take advantage of people looking for love.
The United States Postal Service and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are warning everyone about romance scams and sharing how to avoid falling victim.
“These scams often start online but frequently escalate to requests for money or valuables sent through the mail, leading to devasting financial and emotional losses for victims,” they said in a press release.
A romance scam usually involves someone using a fake identity, cultivating a relationship with their target over the course of weeks or months, and, once trust is established, getting their target to send them money. This could be through made up medical emergencies, travel expenses, or even through an intricate scheme to get their target to invest in something.
That was the case for one Colorado father who lost half a million dollars to what he believed was a legitimate investment in cryptocurrency alongside someone he thought he had build a meaningful relationship with online.
Cases like his are just one example of how damaging these schemes can be, according to the FBI, who spoke with 11 News about these scams.
USPS and USPIS shared the following ways you can protect yourself from falling victim to these scams:
· 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 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 on romance scams visit Romance Scam – United States Postal Inspection Service
You can report fraud to USPIS here and to the Federal Trade Commission here.
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