Another Scam Invitation: Apparently I’m Invited to Give Away $399.99
My inbox has once again extended a very generous invitation.
This time, Maulana Utomo has invited me to an event called:
“Geek Squad Order confirmed: INV#88452. Amount: $399.99”
How thoughtful.
Some people get invited to weddings.
Some people get invited to birthday parties.
Apparently, I get invited to give scammers money or personal information.
I really need a better social life.
Going, Maybe, or Can’t Go?
This is my favorite part of these fake Facebook event invitations.
According to the message, I supposedly have a $399.99 Geek Squad order.
Naturally, The Facebook gives me three options:
Going
Maybe
Can’t Go
Let me check my calendar...
Nope.
Unfortunately, I'm busy that evening, not giving strangers $399.99.
I'm going with Can’t Go.
Bill Is Back!
Then I read the description, and an old friend has apparently returned.
Bill.
The invitation says:
“Bill has paid $399.99 for a subscription using your Pay_Pal account from an unknown seller IP.”
Bill!
We've talked about this.
In one of my previous mystery-subscription emails, Bill supposedly spent $450 using my PayPal account.
Now he's back for another $399.99.
At this point, Bill has more subscriptions than I do.
Someone needs to take away his imaginary credit card.
Geek Squad, PayPal and Facebook Walk Into a Scam...
This one throws several recognizable names into the blender.
The event title references Geek Squad.
The description references PayPal—although creatively written as “Pay_Pal.”
The email itself comes from a Facebook event invitation.
And then there's a phone number supposedly belonging to a “Resolution Center.”
That's a lot of recognizable branding packed into one message.
But there's also something else sitting prominently near the top of the email:
“Warning: This event invitation was not sent by Meta. Please be cautious when clicking on links or providing personal information.”
That's probably the most useful sentence in the entire email.
What Exactly Am I Being Invited To?
That's what makes these messages funny to me.
The email literally says:
“Tell them if you can make it.”
Make it to what?
My $399.99 unauthorized transaction?
Is there going to be cake?
Should I bring a gift?
Do I need to RSVP?
Because from where I'm sitting, this looks like an invitation to worry about a fake charge, call the number provided, and potentially hand over money, account information, personal information—or some combination of the three.
That's one party I'm happy to miss.
The Urgency Is the Point
The $399.99 isn't there because someone necessarily charged me $399.99.
It's there to get my attention.
The recognizable company names get my attention.
The “unknown seller” creates concern.
The telephone number gives me an immediate action to take.
Put everything together, and the hope seems pretty obvious:
React first. Investigate later.
I'm doing the opposite.
If I ever receive a suspicious message claiming I've been charged by a company, I can check the account independently through the company's legitimate app or website rather than using the contact information in the suspicious message.
I don't need Bill's help.
Thanks for the Invitation
So, Maulana, thank you for thinking of me.
Unfortunately, I must respectfully decline your invitation to potentially hand over $399.99 and my personal information.
I already have plans.
I'm going to hit Delete.
And Bill?
Please stop shopping.
Have a Scam Story? Send It My Way
These messages keep coming, and I'll keep documenting them.
If you've received a strange scam email, fake invoice, suspicious Facebook invitation, mystery purchase, phishing text, or another creative attempt to get your money or information, send it to:
Send a screenshot and tell me what happened. Be sure to remove or cover any sensitive personal or financial information first.
Maybe your scammer can meet Bill.
They apparently have similar interests.