Income Tax Department Warns Against Surge In Fake Emails, SMS And Scam Websites
Income Tax Department Warns Against Surge In Fake Emails, SMS And Scam Websites
Advisory urges taxpayers, especially senior citizens, to stay alert as fraudsters impersonate tax authorities to steal personal and financial data
The Income Tax Department has issued a fresh public advisory warning taxpayers about a sharp rise in fraudulent emails, SMS messages and fake websites that impersonate the Department to steal sensitive personal and financial information. The warning comes amid growing concerns that cybercriminals are increasingly targeting vulnerable groups, particularly senior citizens, during the ongoing tax season.
In an official awareness message shared on X by the Income Tax Department, Government of India, taxpayers have been urged to remain vigilant and carefully verify the authenticity of any communication claiming to be from tax authorities. The Department cautioned that fraudsters are using sophisticated methods, including fake sender IDs, misleading links and look-alike websites, to trick individuals into sharing confidential details.
According to the advisory, scammers often attempt to obtain information such as PAN numbers, login passwords, bank details and one-time passwords (OTPs) by creating a false sense of urgency. Messages may claim issues with tax refunds, account verification, pending compliance or penalties, prompting recipients to click on malicious links.
The Department has clearly reiterated that all tax-related services should be accessed only through the official website, https://www.incometax.gov.in. Any website resembling the official portal, including those using altered spellings or terms like “efiling” in the domain name, should be treated as suspicious and avoided.
“Think Twice, Act Wise,” the advisory states, emphasising that the Income Tax Department never asks taxpayers to share OTPs, passwords or confidential personal information through emails, SMS messages or phone calls. Taxpayers have also been advised to carefully check the sender’s email address and website domain before clicking on any link or downloading attachments.
To strengthen public awareness and reporting, the Department has encouraged citizens to flag suspicious communications. Suspected phishing emails can be forwarded to [email protected], with a copy marked to [email protected], which is the national cyber incident response agency. Reporting such attempts helps authorities track emerging fraud patterns and take preventive action.
For additional assistance, taxpayers can contact the official Income Tax Department helpdesk at 1800 103 0025 or 080 46122000. Officials have urged people to share the advisory widely with family members and friends, especially elderly relatives, to reduce the risk of falling victim to digital scams.
The awareness campaign forms part of the government’s broader push to promote cyber hygiene and protect citizens from online fraud as digital transactions and e-governance services continue to expand rapidly across India.
