Govt. Issues Scam Alert: Taxpayers Need To Be Aware Of This New Income Tax Refund Scam 

In recent times, there is a widespread occurrence of fraudulent messages pretending to be from banks, credit cards, or KYC services, aiming to deceive individuals. The latest scam gaining popularity is targeting taxpayers and bears a striking resemblance to the hoax PAN update scam.

As per the PIB Fact Check official tweet, there is a viral message circulating, claiming that the recipient has been approved for an income tax refund of Rs 15,490. The message states that the refund will be credited to the account number 5xxxxx6755. 

It also urges the recipient to update their bank account information by clicking on a link provided, in case the details are incorrect.

The Income Tax Department never provides a refund link directly. It's crucial to be cautious and avoid sharing debit or credit card details on websites accessed through SMS links, as they might be phishing scams aimed at stealing your card information. 

Moreover, the department does not request sensitive personal information via email, nor does it send emails asking for PIN numbers, passwords, or any other access information related to credit cards, banks, or financial accounts. Stay vigilant and safeguard your financial data from potential scams.

Precautions By the Income Tax Department

Here are some precautions to take if you receive an email claiming to be from the Income Tax Department or directing you to their website:

• Do not reply to the email.
• Avoid opening any attachments as they might contain harmful code that can infect your computer.
• Do not click on any links provided in the email.
• If you accidentally clicked on suspicious links or accessed a phishing website, refrain from entering confidential information like bank account or credit card details.
• Don't copy and paste the link from the message into your browser, as phishers can make it look real, but it may redirect you to a different website.
• Protect your computer by using anti-virus software, anti-spyware, and a firewall, and keep them updated regularly.
• Some phishing emails may contain harmful software that can track your internet activities without your knowledge. Anti-virus and anti-spyware software, along with a firewall, can help prevent the acceptance of such unwanted files.

By following these precautions, you can protect yourself from potential phishing scams and keep your personal information safe.

How to Report Fake ITR

If you come across any fake Income Tax Department emails or websites, here's what you should do:

Forward the suspicious email or website URL to webmanager@incometax.gov.in as per the instructions on the Income Tax website.

Additionally, you can also forward a copy to incident@cert-in.org.in for further investigation.

When forwarding the email, include the Internet header, which contains additional information to help locate the sender.

Once you have reported the fake email or website, make sure to delete the message from your inbox.

To check your Income Tax Return (ITR) status, you have two options:

By following these steps, you can help protect yourself and others from fake ITR reporting and ensure the safety of your tax-related information.

Also Read: Income Tax Returns Surge: 53.67 Lakh First-Time Filers for AY 2023-24