FTC warns about email scam masking as party invitations

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a warning on May 26, 2026, about phishing scams using fake party invitations to trick users into revealing login credentials. Scammers send unsolicited messages mimicking platforms like Evite or Paperless Post, prompting victims to enter account details under the guise of accessing an invitation. Alyssa Williamson, a New York City resident, received an email from a college classmate that appeared to be an alumni event invitation. After clicking the link, she was directed to a Gmail login page, only later discovering her account had been compromised and invitations sent to her contacts. Williamson changed her passwords immediately after realizing she had been scammed. Alexis Moser, a preschool owner in Whittier, California, fell victim to a similar scam. After entering her password and completing multi-factor authentication, she noticed unauthorized transactions totaling $5,500 in her bank account. Her bank later reimbursed the funds, and she reset her passwords to secure her accounts. Online invitation companies confirmed the rise of these scams, with Paperless Post reporting hundreds of weekly complaints despite genuine invitations vastly outnumbering fraudulent ones. Experts advised users to scrutinize URLs, check sender email addresses, and avoid entering credentials unless the invitation is verified. Evite, Paperless Post, and Punchbowl recommended hovering over links, examining visual inconsistencies, and contacting platforms directly for verification. The FTC advised updating security software, enabling two-factor authentication, and acting quickly if scammed. Victims were urged to change passwords and monitor accounts for suspicious activity.