State officials: That online party invite could be a phishing scam

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – With summer party season in full swing, the state’s Office of Consumer Protection is warning the public that scammers are using fake online party invitations to steal your passwords.

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”Scammers are sending fake e-vites that look like they’re from legitimate invitation services or even from someone you know,“ said OCP executive director Mana Moriarty.

“When you click the link, it asks you to enter your email address and password to view the invite. But instead of opening an invitation, you’re actually handing over your email login credentials to scammers. Once they have that, they can access your email, steal personal information, or even use your account to target others.”

One major red flag is being asked to log in with your email and password, or fill out personal information just to view an invitation. Legitimate e-vites don’t require a password to open.

Second, look closely at the sender. Even if it appears to come from a friend, their account may have been compromised. Verify through other sources.

Watch for suspicious links or URLs that don’t match the official website of the invitation service. If you hover over a button or take a closer look, it may not match the official website.

Urgency or confusion tactics, such as messages like “You’ve been invited, click now to RSVP,” are designed to get you to act quickly without thinking.

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“Take a moment, double check, and don’t rush, because that’s exactly what scammers are counting on,“ Moriarty said.

Tips to protect yourself

“If you think you’ve fallen for it, act quickly,” Moriarty said.

Change your password immediately and update it anywhere else you’ve used the same password. Enable two-factor authentication if you haven’t already.

Report the scam and forward phishing emails to the international Anti-Phishing Working Group at [email protected].

Alert your bank and monitor your accounts for suspicious activity.

For more information on scams and how to protect yourself, visit the OCP website at cca.hawaii.gov/ocp.

Nonprofit Operation Shamrock also offers education and fraud victim services. Go to operationshamrock.org to find about more.

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