HARRISBURG, PA — Dave Sunday is warning Pennsylvanians about a phishing scam in which cybercriminals use compromised email accounts to send fake digital invitations designed to steal login credentials or install malware.
According to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, the scam involves emails appearing to come from friends or acquaintances inviting recipients to events, conferences, or parties through online invitation or social planning platforms.
Recipients who click the links may be prompted to log in using Google, Apple, Microsoft, or other online accounts. State officials warned that entering credentials could allow scammers to steal account information or install malicious software on a device.
“Scammers are constantly evolving their tactics to appear more credible and trustworthy,” Sunday said. “If you receive an unexpected invitation that requires you to log in or provide personal information, take a moment to verify it directly with the sender — that extra step can protect your personal data and prevent serious harm.”
The attorney general’s office said legitimate invitation services generally do not require users to sign in simply to view an invitation and rarely ask recipients to download software.
Officials advised consumers to verify invitations directly with the sender through a phone call or text message before clicking links. Users should also hover over links to confirm they lead to legitimate websites and avoid interacting with generic or suspicious invitations.
The office urged anyone who believes their email account may have been compromised to immediately change their password, enable two-factor authentication, and report suspicious messages to their email provider as phishing attempts.
Consumers who believe they may have been targeted by the scam can contact the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection through the following resources:
- Complaint form: https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/submit-a-complaint/scams-complaint/
- Email: scams@attorneygeneral.gov
- Phone: 1-800-441-2555
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