Income Tax Notice: Numerous fraudulent messages claiming to be from the Income Tax Department are being shared on social media and through email. The department has alerted taxpayers that these “notices” for the assessment year 2025-26 are entirely fake and aim to steal personal information. The Income Tax Department is actively addressing these deceptive messages.
Phishing attacks are occurring under the guise of official notices
As per the Income Tax Department, scammers are dispatching emails that look legitimate. They assert that your assessment order has been issued or that you owe a payment. These emails include a link that you are urged to click. If you click the link or download the attachment, malware could be installed on your phone or computer, or you might be redirected to a counterfeit website requesting your banking information.
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The PIB has also released a warning about ‘Fake e-PAN’
The Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) Fact Check Unit has revealed another scam. Individuals are receiving fraudulent emails that offer to download their e-PAN cards. The emails state that their e-PAN is ready for download. The PIB has confirmed that these emails are scams. Their goal is to compromise your device or steal your personal data.
How can you recognize a legitimate notice?
The Income Tax Department has shared crucial identification tips for taxpayers to help them avoid falling victim to fraud:
Official Domain: All authentic emails from the department originate solely from the official domain, such as @incometax.gov.in.
Verification on the portal: To confirm the legitimacy of any notice or order, always log in to the official e-Filing portal of the Income Tax Department.
What actions to take and what to avoid if you receive a suspicious email?
Authorities have issued strict guidelines for your safety:
Don’t reply: Avoid responding to any suspicious emails.
Avoid links and attachments: Refrain from clicking on any links or downloading any files from emails.
Even if the link opens by mistake, do not enter your PIN, password, OTP or bank details there. Make sure your device has updated anti-virus and firewall. You can report such fake emails to webmanager@incometax.gov.in. The Income Tax Department has strictly advised that it never asks taxpayers for their passwords, credit card information, or bank account details via email, SMS, or phone call. Use only official government portals for any tax-related work.