What are the red flags?

An invitation you weren't expecting, even if it names a friend or coworker as the host; A page that asks you to pick your email provider and enter your email password to view the invite; A request for your phone number and a verification code to RSVP; A link or sender address that doesn't match the real invitation service's website.

What should I do if I clicked, paid, or replied?

Don't click the link; check with the host through a phone number or message thread you already trust; If you entered your email password, change it right away to a new, strong passphrase; Turn on two-factor authentication and check your email account's recovery settings; Forward phishing emails to reportphishing@apwg.org, texts to 7726 (SPAM), and report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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Phishing / account takeoverEmailSMS

Fake Evite and Paperless Post party invitations that ask for your email password

Q: What does the Fake Evite and Paperless Post party invitations that ask for your email password scam look like?

Yes, according to the FTC: an invitation that makes you enter your email password or share a code to see or RSVP is a phishing scam, not how real invitations work. According to the FTC, scammers send unexpected "You're invited" texts and emails that look like they're from well-known invitation platforms like Evite or Paperless Post. Some list someone you know as the host and make you enter your email username and password to see the event details; others tell you to enter a phone number and share a special code to RSVP. The FTC says that's not how real invitations work: the scammer is trying to steal or reset your account, and may then take over your email and send the same fake invite to your contacts. AARP said in late October 2026 that it expects more of these fake invitations around Thanksgiving and the December holidays.

Last updated Nov 3, 2026

Also known as: Fake Evite invitation scam, Paperless Post phishing email, Party invite phishing text, You're invited email asking for password, Fake RSVP verification code scam

The Scam

According to the FTC, scammers send unexpected "You're invited" texts and emails that look like they're from well-known invitation platforms like Evite or Paperless Post. Some list someone you know as the host and make you enter your email username and password to see the event details; others tell you to enter a phone number and share a special code to RSVP. The FTC says that's not how real invitations work: the scammer is trying to steal or reset your account, and may then take over your email and send the same fake invite to your contacts. AARP said in late October 2026 that it expects more of these fake invitations around Thanksgiving and the December holidays.

The Targets

Anyone with an email account, especially people expecting holiday, wedding or other party invitations, according to the FTC and AARP.

Red flags

An invitation you weren't expecting, even if it names a friend or coworker as the host
A page that asks you to pick your email provider and enter your email password to view the invite
A request for your phone number and a verification code to RSVP
A link or sender address that doesn't match the real invitation service's website

Your Move

Don't click the link; check with the host through a phone number or message thread you already trust
If you entered your email password, change it right away to a new, strong passphrase
Turn on two-factor authentication and check your email account's recovery settings
Forward phishing emails to [email protected], texts to 7726 (SPAM), and report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov

More steps for any scam link: I clicked a scam link. What now?

Still circulating?

AARP's fraud helpline said on Oct. 30, 2026 that it hears about this scam about once a day or every other day and expects an increase during the holidays.

Primary source: Federal Trade Commission (Consumer Advice) · 2026-05-26

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Educational summary only. Verify details on the source page. Report fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or ic3.gov.