Before the New Year holidays, scam artists intensify their activity by sending fake letters that pretend to be from delivery services. This warning came to light through RIA News, which cited Artem Izbaenkov, the director of cybersecurity at EdgeCenter, a firm that monitors online threats and helps organizations stay protected.
Izbaenkov explains that one of the most common deception tactics is to use delivery-related information to mislead victims. Cybercriminals imitate legitimate messages by mimicking the tone, branding, and even order numbers that look plausible to a busy recipient racing to meet holiday deadlines.
He notes that scammers may spoof email addresses that resemble those used by real courier companies, making it hard for everyday users to distinguish between genuine correspondence and fraud. The emails often exert pressure on the recipient, threatening that a package will be returned or that additional charges will apply if urgent action is not taken right away.
The expert emphasizes that official delivery services never ask for personal information or payment details directly via email. Legitimate carriers provide secure channels for such requests and typically direct customers to trusted portals or apps rather than processing sensitive data through ordinary email messages.
Izbaenkov also warned about a broader pattern of cyber fraud that rises before the holidays as people rush to buy gifts. The risk of scams increases because cybercriminals exploit the busy shopping period to harvest personal data or trick people into revealing passwords, credit card numbers, or other sensitive information. One widely used method is fake online storefronts that lure shoppers with steep discounts, only to capture sensitive data or deliver counterfeit goods.
In addition to delivery scheme messages, the security expert points to other popular ripoffs that spike in the pre-holiday season. These include phishing emails claiming to be from reputable retailers, fake order confirmations, and counterfeit tracking updates that direct users to malicious websites designed to harvest credentials. The best defense is vigilance: question unsolicited messages about deliveries, verify the sender through official company channels, and never click suspicious links or provide payment details in response to an email.
To help individuals stay safer, authorities and cybersecurity professionals recommend several practical steps. First, check the sender’s domain and look for subtle variances that reveal imitation efforts. Second, avoid replying to dubious messages or sharing information through email. Third, use official apps or websites for tracking packages, rather than relying on links contained in emails. Finally, enable multifactor authentication where available and monitor financial statements for unusual activity. These habits reduce exposure to fraud during the holiday shopping season and beyond, protecting personal data from opportunistic criminals.
The warnings from EdgeCenter’s team, reported by RIA News, underscore a simple truth: holiday scams come in many forms, but the core defenses remain steady. Slow down, verify, and rely on trusted channels. In a landscape where threat actors constantly adapt their tactics, staying informed is the first line of defense and a powerful way to safeguard personal information while enjoying the festive period.