Income Tax department issues warning to taxpayers, asks them to stay safe from ITR Refund scams

India, as well as the rest of the world, is witnessing a sharp rise in scam cases and every other day, news reports have some new scam story. Scammers tend to pry on innocent, unsuspecting people and rob them of their hard-earned money in most cases. Now that the date of filing Income Tax Return in India has just passed, scammers have found a new way to cheat people.

The Income Tax department, on its official website, issued a warning to taxpayers that cautions them to stay safe from scams. As per the website, scammers are approaching people via calls and messages. So if you are also waiting for your income tax refund, beware of these two scams.

Scam 1: Fake calls and urgent payment demands

The IT department has made it clear that it does not contact taxpayers via phone to demand immediate payments. Any such calls should be regarded with suspicion and reported to the authorities. "Don't trust unsolicited calls! The Income Tax Department will not call you to make immediate payment," reads a prominent banner on the IT department's official website.

This message aims to reassure taxpayers that any pressure to make hasty payments over the phone is a scam.

So, what should you do if you encounter a suspicious call? You can report it immediately through the IT department’s official website. This helps authorities track and address these fraudulent activities, protecting more people from falling victim to scams.

Scam 2: Fraudulent messages

In addition to phone scams, there has been a surge in fraudulent messages claiming to offer tax refunds. These messages typically inform recipients that their Income Tax Return (ITR) has been approved and they are eligible for a refund. For example, Rs 15,000. The message includes a link to 'verify' the account number, but this is a trap designed to steal sensitive information.

The IT department has issued a stern warning against such messages, with another banner on their website stating, "Don't fall for fake pop-ups! The Income Tax Department will never contact you through pop-up windows."

A typical scam message might read:

"You have been approved an Income Tax Refund of Rs 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 below. https://bit.ly/20wpUUX"

These messages are crafted to appear genuine, but they are fraudulent attempts to obtain personal and financial information. Taxpayers are urged to ignore such messages and refrain from clicking on any links or providing any personal details.

The IT department also stressed on the importance of vigilance among taxpayers. You should always verify any communication from the IT department through official channels. The department communicates with taxpayers via their registered email addresses and not through unsolicited phone calls or messages.

How to stay safe

1. Ignore suspicious calls and messages: If you receive a call or message demanding immediate payment or personal information, do not respond. Hang up the phone and do not click on any links in messages.
2. Verify through official channels: Cross-check any communication claiming to be from the IT department through their official website or contact their customer service for confirmation.
3. Report suspicious activities: Use the official reporting link provided by the IT department to report any suspicious calls or messages. This helps authorities track and prevent further fraudulent activities.
4. Do not share sensitive information: Never share your bank account details, credit card information, or any other personal data in response to unsolicited communications.