Already clicked on that suspicious Google Doc invite? What you should do next

TRENTON — If a Google Doc invitation addressed to an email account like "hhhhhhhhhhh@mailinator.com" has recently come into your inbox, it's probably best to avoid opening that email or, worse yet, clicking on any links contained therein.

For some, it may be too late. They may already have been exposed to a widespread internet phishing scam which could compromise private details, though NJ.com reported the malicious message is not malware.

Still, there are simple steps you can take if you've been affected. Foremost among these is to change your email password to something complicated, with numbers and symbols — even if your old password already had those. Google also offers an Account Recovery security checklist for Gmail users.

"Unless you know the person who sent you the invite, do not open the email, or if you do, don't click on any links in the message," New Jersey 101.5's information technology support guru, Dave Loudon, wrote in an email to staffers Wednesday. "These messages are spam and are attempting to gather personal information from you."

It's unclear when the issue may be fully resolved, but for the time being, the general recommendation is not to open any Google Doc invites even if you know the sender.

Patrick Lavery produces "New Jersey's First News" and is New Jersey 101.5's morning drive breaking news reporter. Follow him on Twitter @plavery1015 or email patrick.lavery@townsquaremedia.com.

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