Important security alert for ITR filers
Issued in public interest — Income Tax Department, India
What is happening
Fraudsters are sending fake SMS, WhatsApp messages, and emails impersonating the Income Tax Department. These messages falsely claim you have a pending tax refund or demand immediate payment of taxes — and redirect you to phishing websites to steal your credentials and bank details.
Common red flags to watch for
Refund lures
Messages claiming “₹15,000 refund pending — click to claim”
Threat of arrest / penalty
“Pay immediately or face legal action / account freeze”
Suspicious links
URLs that are NOT incometax.gov.in — look like incometax-refund.com etc.
Asking for OTP / PIN
IT Dept never asks for OTP, ATM PIN, or net banking password
The Income Tax Department will NEVER
✕ Ask for your bank account number, card details, or OTP via SMS/WhatsApp
✕ Demand immediate payment through UPI, Google Pay, or gift cards
✕ Threaten immediate arrest over a phone call or message
✕ Send refunds to a “new” bank account you provide via a link
What you should do
1.Verify on the official portal only
Check refund status at incometax.gov.in — type it directly in your browser, never click a link
2. Do not click any link in the message
Delete the message immediately and block the sender
3. Report the fraud
Report on the National Cybercrime portal: cybercrime.gov.in or call helpline 1930
4. Contact IT helpdesk if in doubt
Call the official helpline at 1800-103-0025 (toll-free) to verify any communication
Stay alert · Stay safe · Share this with family members who file ITR
A few key points to keep in mind:
Refund status is always available on the official portal — incometax.gov.in — after logging in with your PAN and password. No legitimate communication will ever ask you to “update bank details via a link” to receive a refund.
Remember: the actual Income Tax Department sends notices through your registered email (on the portal) or physical post — not via random WhatsApp forwards or unofficial SMS numbers.
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