The latest calendar-related scam in 2025 involves fake “calendar invites” and subscription traps that trick people into sharing personal data or paying hidden fees. Fraudsters are exploiting digital calendars (Google, Outlook, iCloud) by sending malicious invites that look legitimate but contain phishing links or hidden subscriptions.
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🕵️ Key Calendar Scam Trends in 2025
– Phishing via Calendar Invites
Scammers send fake meeting requests that automatically appear in your calendar. These often include links to “event details” or “attachments” that lead to phishing sites designed to steal login credentials or banking information.
– Subscription Traps Disguised as Calendars
Fraudsters promote “free printable calendars” or “exclusive event calendars” online. Once downloaded, users unknowingly sign up for recurring charges or give away card details.
– Malware Hidden in Calendar Files
Some scams involve .ics calendar files attached to emails. Opening them can trigger malware downloads or redirect victims to unsafe websites.
– Fake Holiday & Lottery Calendars
Criminals exploit seasonal themes (Christmas, New Year, Advent calendars) by offering “daily prizes” or “holiday countdowns.” Clicking through often leads to gambling scams or requests for personal data.
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🚨 Why These Scams Work
– Automatic syncing: Many calendar apps auto-add invites, so victims see them without clicking “accept.”
– Trust factor: People assume calendar entries are safe and linked to legitimate organizations.
– Busy lifestyles: Fraudsters exploit the fact that users skim invites quickly, making them less cautious.
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✅ How to Protect Yourself
– Disable auto-add invites in Google or Outlook calendars.
– Check sender details carefully before clicking links in calendar events.
– Avoid downloading free calendars from unknown websites.
– Use scam-checking tools like Ask Silver (UK-based AI scam checker) to verify suspicious invites.
– Report suspicious events to your email provider or IT team immediately.
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📌 In short: calendar scams in 2025 are evolving into phishing and subscription traps disguised as legitimate invites or downloads. Staying alert to unsolicited calendar entries and disabling auto-add features is one of the most effective defences.