Is This Party Invitation Email a Scam?

What this helps with: Spotting fake “You’re invited!” emails and texts that look like Evite, Paperless Post, or Punchbowl, and what to do if you already typed in your password.

The short answer: A real invitation never asks for your email password, a code, or a download just to see it or RSVP. If it does, it’s a scam. Don’t tap. Text or call the host to ask if they sent it.

Holiday party season is here, and so are fake invitations. AARP warned about them on Oct 29, 2026. The FTC says the goal is to steal your email account. Once scammers are in, they send the same fake invite to everyone you know. That’s why a fake invite may seem to come from a friend.

What a fake invitation looks like

• It asks you to sign in to see it. You tap “View invitation,” and a page asks for your email address and password. Real invitations don’t do this.
• It asks for your phone number and a code. Some fakes say to type your phone number, then share the code that gets texted to you. That code can let scammers into your account.
• It asks you to download something. Paperless Post told AARP a real invite “will never ask you to log in or download anything” to view it or RSVP.
• It came from a strange address. Evite says its emails only come from addresses that end in evite.com. It never sends from a Gmail, Yahoo, or Hotmail address.
• It came from a friend, but it doesn’t sound like them. Their email may have been hacked. The message may be vague, like “Please join us” with no event name.
• You weren’t expecting it. A surprise invite for a party you’ve never heard of is worth checking.

What to do

1. Don’t tap the button or link yet.
   • What you’ll tap: Nothing in the message for now.
2. Check with the host. Text or call them using the number you already have. Ask, “Did you send me an invite?” Don’t reply to the email to ask.
3. Look at the sender’s address. Tap or click the sender’s name to see the full email address. For Evite, it should end in evite.com.
4. Look at where the link goes (on a computer). Rest your mouse on the button without clicking. The web address shows at the bottom of the screen. For Evite, it should be evite.com or evite.me. If it goes somewhere else, it’s fake.
5. Never type your email password to see an invitation. If a page asks for it, close the page.
6. Report it as phishing. Phishing means a fake message that tries to steal your sign-in or personal details.
   • In Gmail on a computer: Open the email. Next to Reply, click More (the three dots). Click Report phishing.
   • In other email apps: Move it to Junk or Spam.
   • You can also forward a fake email to reportphishing@apwg.org. Forward a fake text to 7726 (the number spells “SPAM”).
7. Delete it after you report it.

If you already typed in your password

Act fast. The sooner you change it, the better.

1. Change your email password right away. Use a new, strong password you don’t use anywhere else. Our guide to resetting a password shows how. A password manager can make and remember it for you.
2. Turn on two-step login. This means you need a code or your phone to sign in, too. It stops a scammer who has only your password. See our two-step login guide.
3. Check your account for changes. Look for a new recovery email or phone number you don’t know, or rules that forward your mail somewhere else. For Gmail, Google has steps to secure a hacked account.
4. Change the password on other accounts that used the same one. Start with your bank.
5. Tell your friends. If scammers got into your email, they may send fake invites to your contacts. A quick note helps them stay safe.
6. If you shared other private details, like a card number or Social Security number, go to IdentityTheft.gov for a step-by-step plan.

It’s not your fault. These invites look real, and they often come from someone you know.

Where to report it

• Any fake invitation: Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
• Fake emails: Forward them to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at reportphishing@apwg.org.
• Free help talking it through: Call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360. You don’t need to be an AARP member.

Want more ways to spot a fake? See our guides to spotting a scam, social media scams, and fake package delivery texts.

Official sources

• AARP: Holiday scams to watch out for (updated Oct 29, 2026)
• FTC: Asked to enter your email address and password to open a party invite? That’s a scam (May 26, 2026)
• Evite: Phishing emails: how to tell a real Evite from a fake
• Google: Avoid and report phishing emails in Gmail
• Google: Secure a hacked or compromised Google Account
• Apple: Recognize and avoid phishing messages and other scams
• FTC: Report fraud

Last checked: Nov 1, 2026

This is general help, not personalized tech support, and not legal or financial advice. If you think you’ve lost money, contact your bank and the official sources above.