(WVVA) – You receive an email invitation that appears to be from Punchbowl, a popular website for sending digital greeting cards and party invites. The email looks official, includes details about an event and instructs you to click a link to see more details. It might even suggest you open it on a laptop or desktop computer for the best experience.
Don’t click that link. This is not a real invitation. The email is from a cybercriminal impersonating Punchbowl, and clicking the link will download malware (malicious software) onto your device. Once installed, the malware gives scammers control of your computer or phone and access to your private information, passwords and financial data.
How the scam works
- You receive an email that looks like it’s from Punchbowl with an event invitation
- The email includes a link to view the invite and may suggest opening it on a desktop or laptop
- You click the link
- Malware automatically downloads onto your device without you realizing it
- Scammers can now control your device, steal passwords and access your personal and financial information
Why it’s convincing
Punchbowl invitations are common and many people receive them. The email looks official and includes event details. The suggestion to open it on a specific device sounds like a technical recommendation rather than a red flag. Because the invitation seems harmless and social, people are more likely to click without thinking.
What to do if you receive a suspicious invitation email
- Do not click any links in unexpected invitation emails
- Check the sender’s email address carefully
- Real Punchbowl invitations come from Punchbowl’s official domain
- If the email comes from a personal email account or an address that doesn’t look like it’s from Punchbowl, it’s a scam
- Be suspicious of any instruction to open a link on a specific device. Real services do not typically make these kinds of requests. Scammers use these instructions to bypass security features
- If you’re unsure whether an invitation is real, go directly to Punchbowl.com in your web browser and log in to check your invitations. Do not use any links from the email
- If you clicked the link and think malware may have been installed, scan your device with antivirus software immediately
- Report the suspicious email to Punchbowl and to your email provider
How to spot malware phishing emails
- Check the sender’s email address. Does it match the company’s official domain?
- Look for generic greetings like “Dear user” instead of your name
- Watch for unusual requests, such as opening something on a specific device or using a specific browser
- Real companies will not ask you to click links to verify account information or access services
- If the email creates a sense of urgency or excitement, slow down. Scammers use emotions to bypass your judgment
- Hover over links to see where they actually lead before clicking. Fake links often go to suspicious websites.
Protect your devices
- Keep your operating system and antivirus software up to date
- Use strong, unique passwords for each account
- Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible
- Be cautious about opening email attachments or clicking links from unknown senders
- When in doubt, contact the company directly through its official website or phone number, not through a link in the email
Copyright 2026 WVVA. All rights reserved.
