ITR refund scam FY2023-24: Income tax department warns about this tax refund scam
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Tax refund scam
The Income Tax Department has cautioned people to stay wary of fraudulent scams. The department has warned using social media to be wary of fraudulent calls and pop-up notifications saying they are qualified for a tax refund.
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Warning from tax department
Do not reply to emails or visit websites that request credit card numbers, bank account details, or any other sensitive information. The Income Tax Department may contact taxpayers through the email address provided.
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Example of the fake message may read like this
You have been approved an Income Tax Refund of Rs, 15000/-, 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
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Scam instance
In another post, it stated, “A man lost rs 1.5 lakh after clicking on a fake refund message. He was directed to a fraudulent app, which led to his phone being hacked and money being debited from his account.
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Income tax refund fraud: How to report
If you receive an email or discover a website that you believe is impersonating the Income Tax Department, please forward the email or website URL to webmanager@incometax.gov.in. A copy can also be sent to incident@cert-in.org.in.
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Advisory from Income tax department
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 reply.
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 ..
· · Do not cut and paste the link from the message into your browsers, phishers can make link look like real, but it actually send 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.
Do not reply.
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 ..
· · Do not cut and paste the link from the message into your browsers, phishers can make link look like real, but it actually send 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.