Valentine’s Day is a time when scammers will ask their victims for money, gift cards, or pictures. Here's how to protect yourself.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is warning individuals of romance scams ahead of Valentine’s Day. Romance scams are a deceptive form of fraud that prey on individuals seeking companionship. These scams often start online but escalate to requests for money or valuables sent through the mail,

They won't ask for money immediately. Scammers usually practice at least one virtue: patience. "They don't typically come right out and ask for your money," says Simerly. "Instead, they will spend weeks – or even months – in the pursuit of getting to know their targets while they build trust."

As Valentines Day approaches, a warning about looking for love in all the worng places. Scammers could turn to dating websites and apps to target vulnerable individuals and steal their money.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, the FBI Springfield office is cautioning the public to be vigilant about online relationships, warning that not all digital connections are genuine.

To avoid a romance scam, officials urge the public to be cautious of online relationships that progress quickly, look for inconsistencies in both the person's profile and information they share and keep your personal information private.

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) urge consumers this Valentine's Day season to be aware of romance scams.