What are party-invite phishing scams — and how do I spot one?

Fake party and event invitations exploit trust and urgency. Verify the event in the real app or with the host instead of using the message link.

These scams disguise a credential trap or malicious download as a casual party, venue, or event-app invitation. They work because an RSVP feels social and harmless, while a deadline such as “spots almost gone” discourages careful checking. Warning signs include an unfamiliar sender, a nearly correct domain, a link that does not match the real event service, or a login request that an ordinary invitation should not need.

Do not use the message link: open the event app yourself and search, or text the supposed host on a number you already know. If you entered a password, change it immediately from the real site, sign out other sessions, and turn on two-factor authentication.