The U.S. Secret Service used its official Twitter account in mid-February 2026 to warn the public about romance scams and highlight ongoing efforts in school safety advocacy.
On February 12, 2026, the agency posted a warning about romance scams, stating, "The love and romance this week are just as real as the crime! Watch out for romance scam red flags this time of year:
Do not send money or gift cards or crypto to someone you have not met in person.
If they push secrecy or urgency or an emergency, it's a scam!
If they". The message aimed to caution individuals against sending money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency to people they have never met face-to-face and advised skepticism toward requests marked by secrecy or urgency.
Later that day, on February 12, 2026, another post reiterated these concerns: " Scammers do not need Cupid, they need your attention. They find victims on dating sites, social media, messaging apps and 'wrong number' texts. They build trust over time, then pivot to crypto, gold or foreign currency. If the message turns into investing, stop the". This tweet described how scammers use various online platforms to target victims and often transition conversations toward investment schemes involving cryptocurrencies or other assets.
On February 13, 2026, the Secret Service highlighted a meeting between Deputy Assistant Director Jeff Burnside and Tony Montalto and Tom Hoyer from "Stand with Parkland," stating: "US Secret Service, Deputy Assistant Director, Jeff Burnside met with Tony Montalto and Tom Hoyer from “Stand with Parkland” to discuss the work being conducted by the National Threat Assessment Center. Tony and Tom have been advocating for school safety measures on behalf of". Stand with Parkland is an organization formed by families affected by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting; its representatives advocate for improved school safety measures nationwide.
Romance scams remain a significant concern across the United States. Criminals often exploit emotions during holidays like Valentine's Day by building online relationships before soliciting money under false pretenses. Law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Secret Service regularly issue warnings during these periods due to increased scam activity.
In addition to fraud prevention efforts related to financial crimes like romance scams—which frequently involve digital currencies—the U.S. Secret Service also works closely with organizations dedicated to public safety initiatives such as those promoted by Stand with Parkland.
