The Bengaluru Zone of the GST Department has issued an important advisory to the trade and industrial sectors following information of people impersonating GST officials. This warning has been given via Trade Notice No. 02/2026, which suggests companies exercise heightened caution during assessments and search proceedings.
The advisory shows that some unscrupulous persons have wrongly posed as Central GST officers and tried to mislead businesses. The authorities have mentioned that genuine GST officers comply with the robust guidelines while performing investigations.
The office of the Principal Chief Commissioner of Central Tax, Bengaluru Zone, issued the notice as per the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017.
GST Authorities Do Not Ask for Cash or Individual Expenses
The department mentioned that genuine GST officers do not ask for payments that are not official. The following caution is provided to the businesses are-
- GST officers do not ask for cash payments
- They do not need payments via personal bank accounts, UPI IDs, wallets, or other informal methods.
- They do not ask for sensitive information via phone calls, WhatsApp, SMS, or personal email IDs.
All official communication is incurred merely via the GST portal, official government email IDs ending with @gov.in, or correctly issued notices and summons.
Businesses can access official communication via the GST Common Portal.
Inspections Permitted Exclusively Under Appropriate Authorisation
From the advisory, taxpayers are reminded that inspections, searches, and seizures are regulated under Section 67 of the CGST Act. The same measure can solely be performed via a “proper officer” authorised in writing by the competent authority.
At the time of inspection, the authorised officer should have-
- A valid government photo identity card
- A written authorisation letter
- Details such as the officer’s name and designation
- Address of the premises to be inspected
- GSTIN of the registered taxpayer, where applicable
Businesses must validate such documents before permitting the entry of any officer.
Validate DIN to Ensure Authenticity of GST Notices
The department outlines the significance of validating the Document Identification Number (DIN) for any official GST communication.
Every legal notice issued via the department holds a DIN, which can be verified online. Businesses must validate the DIN cited on inspection or search authorisations before cooperating with officers.
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs rolled out the same verification system to confirm clarity and prevent the mishandling of authority.
Businesses Can Contact Tax Authorities
If the taxpayer has any doubt concerning the identity of officers doing the inspection or search operations, they need to contact their jurisdictional GST office or vigilance authorities.
Important: Delhi South GST Commissionerate Issues Trade Notice No. 20/2026 on Portal Changes
The department has asked the trade community to stay vigilant and validate the official credentials to avert fraud or impersonation.
Closure: The latest advisory acts as a reminder for businesses to stay vigilant with the surging reports of GST officer impersonation. Validating officer identity cards, written authorisation, and the DIN number could support the taxpayers in safeguarding themselves from fraud while confirming compliance with GST norms.
Read Bengaluru GST Department Trade Notice
