Got an e-mail to download your e-PAN? It might be a scam, warns PIB

PIB Fact Check has issued a warning on social media, asking people to exercise caution when receiving emails pretending to be from the Income Tax Department. These emails frequently pretend to provide services such as downloading an e-PAN and may seek to obtain sensitive personal or financial information.

PIB Fact Check recently alerted people about this phishing fraud in a post published on X, "Have you also received an email asking you to download e-PAN Card. PIBFactCheck: This is a Fake email. Never reply to calls, texts, emails, or links requesting sensitive or financial information.”

Phishing is the process of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. Communications purporting to be from financial institutions, popular social web sites, auction sites, online payment processors or IT administrators are commonly used to lure the unsuspecting public. Phishing is typically carried out by e-mail or instant messaging and it often directs users to enter details at a fake website whose look and feel are almost identical to the legitimate one.

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. A copy may also be forwarded to incident@cert-in.org.in

If you receive a phishing mail not pertaining to the Income Tax Department, forward the same to incident@cert-in.org.in

If you receive an e-mail from someone claiming to be the authorized by Income Tax Department or directing you to an Income Tax website:

Do not open any attachments. Attachments may contain malicious code that will infect your computer. Do not click on any links. If you clicked on links in a suspicious e-mail or phishing website then do not enter confidential information like bank account, credit card details. Do not cut and paste the link from the message into your browsers, phishers can make the link look real, but it actually sends you to different websites.

Use anti-virus software, anti spyware, and a firewall and keep them updated. Some phishing e-mails contain software that can harm your computer or track your activities on the internet without your knowledge. Anti-virus & Anti-spyware software and firewall can protect you from inadvertently accepting such unwanted files.

PAN applicants can now download their e-PANs through this UTI Infrastructure Technology and Services Limited (UTIITSL)'s website / Mobile App.The e-PAN download facility on this website is available only for the applicants, who have applied for PAN Card through PAN application form or applied for change/correction and issued through UTIITSL. The ePAN will be sent only on the eMail ID available as per PAN records with the Income Tax Department.