New Delhi: Income Tax department has alerted taxpayers about an increase in ITR refund scams. The fraudsters are using tactics such as fake calls, pop-up notifications, especially on social media, falsely claiming eligibility for a tax refund, to trick taxpayers into divulging sensitive information. The I-T department advised taxpayers to remain cautious and carefully scrutinise and authenticate any communication.
The Income Tax department never sends Pop up messages, for example: “You have been approved an Income Tax refund of Rs 15000, the amount will be credited to your account shortly. Please verify your account number XXXXXXXXXX. If this is not correct please update your income tax information by visiting the link below: https://bit.ly/20wpUUX.” If you receive this type of message. Just close the window and report it to income tax department.
Tax refund fake message
The I-T department gave an example of scams happening in the name income tax refund return. “A man lost Rs 1.5 lakh after clicking on a fake income tax refund message. He was directed to a fraudulent app, which led to his phone being hacked and money debited from his account,” it stated.
Income Tax: Protect yourself from online scams
Never respond to unsolicited calls or messages from strangers promising Refunds.
Never trust unverified sources claiming to be from Income Tax department
Never share personal details such as OTPs, Bank account, Aadhaar and PAN details.
Never click on unverified links claiming to be linked to the Income Tax department.
E-pay your Income Tax only through the official website.
Helpline numbers: 1800 103 0025, 1800 419 0025
Report such instances to: https://incometaxindia.gov.in/pages/report-phishing.aspx
The Income Tax Department has categorically stated that it does not ask for detailed personal information through e-mail. The I-T department does not send e-mail requesting your PIN numbers, passwords or similar access information for credit cards, banks or other financial accounts.
The department has stated that if a person receives an e-mail from someone claiming to be the authorised by the Income Tax Department or directing you to an Income Tax website, the individual should not reply. It has advised people to not open any attachments as they may contain malicious code that will infect your computer.
Income Tax Refund Scam: Education people about the fraudsters using different means to cheat people , Income Tax department advised taxpayers not fall for fake calls and pop-up notifications. Biz News Business News – Personal Finance News, Share Market News, BSE/NSE News, Stock Exchange News Today
