Income tax email in your inbox? Do not click yet or else you will lose your life savings, how to stay safe
Fake income tax emails are targeting people and trying to steal personal details.
These mails push users to click links and share sensitive information.
Always check official sources and avoid sharing details on unknown websites.
Taxpayers across the country are being duped by fake emails regarding income tax. These emails seem to be from the Income Tax Department and warn citizens about errors in their income tax returns. These emails seem to be authentic, and hence citizens tend to believe them. However, officials have confirmed these emails to be absolutely false. They have also warned citizens that these emails are designed to obtain personal and financial details, and hence, they should not be replied to. Here is everything you need to know about the income tax mail scams and how you can be safe.
How does the income tax mail scam work?
Income tax payers receive mail that looks similar to the one from the Income Tax Department. This mail usually mentions issues like the user’s non-compliance or missing information in their recent tax filings, and the mail is written in formal and official language. The mail asks the users to click on the phishing link that is attached to the mail.
Once the user clicks on the link, they are redirected to a fake website that looks similar to the income tax official website. This fake website usually asks the user to fill in their personal information like the PAN number, bank details, or login credentials. Sometimes, the user may also be required to give out the OTP that they have received. However, if you share this OTP on the website, then you might land in serious trouble.
The fake mail tries to create a false sense of urgency and provides the user with a short deadline to complete the process. This fake urgency thereby increases the chances of the user falling victim to the scam.
Who flagged the Income Tax mail scam?
The Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check unit, along with the official Income Tax Department of India, recently issued a notice on their official X account highlighting the scam. The authorities confirmed that the email circulating is fake and part of a phishing attempt designed to deceive citizens.
They also clarified that the Income Tax Department has not sent any such notice. The Income Tax Department has also advised the users to rely only on verified communication channels for any tax-related updates or notices.
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How to stay safe
Here are the easy steps which you can follow to be safe from this income tax mail scam:
- Do not click on links or download attachments from unknown or suspicious emails.
- Always check the email address you received the email from.
- Use the official income tax website instead of using the links shared in the mail.
- Never share any information like PAN, bank, OTP, or passwords with any website other than the official website.
- Verify any notice received regarding taxes from official government sources before taking any action.
