The Income Tax department, on its official social media account, issued a warning to taxpayers cautioning them to stay safe from scams. As per social media posts, scammers are approaching people via calls and messages. So if you are also waiting for your income tax refund, beware of these two scams.
“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”
The Income tax department will never contact you through pop-up windows.
Enter your tax information on the official Income Tax website only. Check if the website is authentic or not, such as https:// secure connection. The IT Department has emphasized on the importance of confirming the website’s legitimacy before inputting any tax-related data.
According to the Income Tax Department’s social media post, a man lost Rs 1.5 lakh after clicking on a fake income tax refund message. He was directed to a fraudulent app, which led to his phone banking. 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.
The department has set up helpline numbers (1800 103 0025 and 1800 419 0025) for any assistance or to report concerns regarding potential scams.
If you receive an e-mail or find a website you think is pretending to be of the Income Tax Department, forward the e-mail or website URL to webmanager@incometax.gov.in. You can also forward a copy to incident@cert-in.org.in
Source #ET
