With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, Cullman County may be in the mood for love, but there are those whose moods are of a darker nature and would turn the day upside down to make some fast, and illegal, cash.

Recently, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service issued awareness and advice guidelines about “romance” scams. With the average American already planning to spend nearly $200 on the day — the total projected spending across the nation this year will approach $27.5 billion — that’s an awareness and advice worth paying attention to.

Romance scams are a form of fraud that preys on individuals seeking companionship. 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.

“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.”

Barksdale is right, and here’s why:

How romance scams work
— Scammers create fake identities, often using stolen photos and fictitious personal details.

— 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
— 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.

And if you or someone you know has been scammed:

How to report mail fraud
If you are 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.