Tax Department Alerts: Beware of Scam IT Notices
Tax Department Alerts: Beware of Scam IT Notices. Numerous fraudulent emails and messages impersonating the Income Tax Department are circulating on social media and through email for assessment year 2025-26. The department is addressing phishing attacks by providing tips to identify legitimate notices, ensuring users' privacy remains protected.
Highlights
- •The Income Tax Department has issued warnings about fake IT Notices designed to steal personal information.
- •The PIB also warns against fake e-PAN cards, urging caution on the authenticity of emails offering them for download.
- •To prevent scammers from accessing their devices or stealing personal data, taxpayers are advised to follow the provided guidelines and use official government portals for any tax-related work.
- •Authorities have set strict guidelines to protect users' safety, including not asking for passwords, credit card information, or bank details through email.
Income Tax Notice: Numerous fraudulent emails and messages impersonating the Income Tax Department are circulating on social media and through email. The department has warned taxpayers to be vigilant as these false notices for assessment year 2025-26 are designed to steal personal information.
The Income Tax Department, in response, is addressing these phishing attacks by creating deceptive messages that appear legitimate, urging their recipients to click on a malicious link or download an attachment. These actions could lead to the installation of malware on devices and fraudulent access to banking information.
In another scam alert, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has cautioned against fake e-PAN cards being offered for download through suspicious emails. These scams aim to compromise users' devices and obtain personal data.
To protect yourself, the Income Tax Department has provided tips on identifying legitimate notices: all official emails must originate from their specific domain, @incometax.gov.in, and you should always verify any notice or order through the e-Filing portal of the department. This ensures that you are dealing with an authentic communication.
The Income Tax Department has also provided actionable guidelines:
- Do not reply to suspicious emails;
- Avoid clicking on any links or downloading files within the email, especially if you are unsure of their origin;
- Always ensure your device has the latest antivirus and firewall software installed;
- If an incident occurs, report fake emails to webmanager@incometax.gov.in.
Remember, the department does not request or demand any form of personal information—such as passwords, credit card data, or bank details—from recipients via email, SMS, or phone call.
