A warning has been issued to the taxpayers by the Income tax department, making them aware of the bogus calls and messages about the income tax refunds.
Scammers impersonate the tax authorities and get the data of the individual’s bank accounts by deceiving them, which leads the individuals to face financial losses.
Beware of Fraudulent Income Tax Refund Notifications
Scammers are sending misleading messages that closely imitate genuine communications.
“You have been approved an Income Tax Refund of ₹15,000/-, the amount will be credited to your account shortly. Please verify your account number 5XXXXX6777. If this is not correct, please update your bank account information by visiting the link below: https://bit.ly/20wpUUX”
The Income Tax Department confirms it does not send pop-up messages or direct users to third-party links for verification. All official communications regarding taxes are conducted exclusively through the official Income Tax portal.
Victim of Fraud: ₹1.5 Lakh Stolen in Real-Life Case
A recent report revealed that a taxpayer incurred a loss of ₹1.5 lakh after responding to a fraudulent income tax refund message. The individual was instructed to download a malicious application, which compromised their banking credentials and resulted in unauthorized withdrawals from their account.
What is the method to Protect Yourself from Tax Scams?
- Verify a Website: Before entering any personal information, make sure the website URL begins with https:// and is associated with incometax.gov.in.
- Don’t Click Suspicious Links: Avoid clicking on unidentified links that purport to provide income tax refunds and are sent by WhatsApp, email, or SMS.
- Payments Never Requested by Phone: Taxpayers are never contacted by the government’s IT department to request urgent tax payments. Report these calls right away and treat them as fake.
- Communicate Via Official Channels Only: To ensure security, enter your tax information on the official Income Tax e-filing platform.
What is the Method to Report a Scam?
You should take action quickly if you suspect a malicious attempt-
- Forward the suspicious emails or fake website URLs to webmanager@incometax.gov.in.
- Report cyber frauds to incident@cert-in.org.in.
- Call the Income Tax helpline at 1800 103 0025 or 1800 419 0025 for assistance.
Read Also: How to Easily Protect from Phishing Scams in Tax Season
Stay Aware, Stay Secure
The income tax department, with tax scams on the rise, asks all taxpayers to stay cautious, comply with cybersecurity practices, and report suspicious activities to avert financial fraud.
