The U.S. Secret Service used its official Twitter account to warn the public about romance scams and commemorate the anniversary of a tragic school shooting in February 2026. The agency, which is responsible for protecting national leaders and investigating financial crimes, posted a series of messages addressing both cybercrime risks and the memory of victims from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
On February 13, 2026, the U.S. Secret Service posted: "Criminals are counting on you to be open with your heart and wallet this time of year!
Look out for some Romance Scam red flags:
If a cryptocurrency tip sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Be wary when opening links -- scammers will often send victims links to https://t.co/3guaRv4hVE"
A day later, on February 14, 2026, the agency issued another warning: "This time of year, beware of increased romance scam activity!
Scammers spend weeks building trust via dating sites, social media or even 'wrong number' texts. They love-bomb you with messages and gifts before pushing you onto a fraudulent crypto trading platform. If you see https://t.co/vu2oVxVetd"
Also on February 14, 2026, the U.S. Secret Service marked an important anniversary: "Today marks the 8th year since the horrific shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL.
This week, Dr. Lina Alathari, Chief of the US Secret Service’s National Threat Assessment Center had the privilege of hosting Tony Montalto and Tom Hoyer. Tony and Tom https://t.co/O7oD0irBAY"
The posts reflect ongoing efforts by federal agencies like the U.S. Secret Service to educate citizens about online fraud—especially during times when individuals may be more vulnerable to emotional manipulation—and their role in threat assessment following mass violence events.
The National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC), led by Dr. Lina Alathari as mentioned in one tweet, provides research-based guidance for preventing targeted violence such as school shootings.
