ITR refund scam: How to spot it and protect yourself
The Income Tax Department of India is urging taxpayers to be vigilant against a recurring scam targeting ITR refunds for FY2023-24 (assessment year 2024-25). The fraud involves deceptive phone calls and messages, claiming that the recipient is eligible for an income tax refund. The department has urged individuals to verify any communication they receive through official channels, and not to respond to emails or visit websites asking for sensitive information such as credit card numbers or bank account details.
Scammers use fake messages to trick taxpayers
The scammers often use fake messages to deceive unsuspecting taxpayers. An example of such a message reads: "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..." The I-T Department has highlighted a case where a man lost ₹1.5 lakh after clicking on a fraudulent link.
How to report suspected income tax refund fraud
The I-T Department has provided guidelines for reporting suspected fraud. If taxpayers receive an email or find a website impersonating the department, they are advised to forward the email or website URL to webmanager@incometax.gov.in and incident@cert-in.org.in. After forwarding the suspicious email or header information, recipients should delete the message. The department also clarified that it does not request detailed personal information via email, including PIN numbers, passwords, or similar access information for credit cards and bank accounts.
