New Delhi: The Income Tax Department has issued a stern public advisory warning taxpayers across India—especially senior citizens—against a surge in fraudulent emails, SMS messages and fake websites impersonating the department to steal sensitive personal and financial information.
In an official awareness communication released on Saturday, the department cautioned that cybercriminals are increasingly misusing its name, logo and digital identity to deceive taxpayers into sharing confidential details. These scams, officials said, have become more sophisticated, employing fake sender IDs, misleading hyperlinks and websites closely resembling the official income tax portal.
According to the department, such fraudulent communications often seek critical information including PAN details, login credentials, bank account information and one-time passwords (OTPs), exposing victims to identity theft and substantial financial losses.
Use Only the Official Income Tax Portal
The department has categorically advised taxpayers to access all tax-related services only through the official portal — www.incometax.gov.in. Any other website or link claiming to provide tax services, particularly those with altered spellings or terms such as “efiling” or “refund processing”, should be treated as suspicious.
Officials noted that recent fraud cases involved messages promising instant tax refunds, warning of penalties, or requesting urgent KYC updates. Clicking on such links typically redirects users to fake portals designed to harvest personal data.
‘Think Twice, Act Wise’ — Department’s Clear Warning
Reiterating its standard operating procedures, the Income Tax Department stressed that it never asks for OTPs, passwords, PINs or confidential information via email, SMS or phone calls.
As part of its nationwide awareness drive, the department has reiterated the message:
“Think Twice, Act Wise.”
Taxpayers have been urged to remain cautious and verify the authenticity of any communication claiming to originate from tax authorities.
Key precautions advised include:
- Carefully checking the sender’s email address or SMS header
- Verifying website domain names before clicking links
- Avoiding unknown or unsolicited hyperlinks entirely
How to Report Phishing and Fraud Attempts
To enable swift action against cyber fraud, the department has provided a dedicated reporting mechanism. Taxpayers are advised to forward suspicious emails to webmanager@incometax.gov.in, with a copy marked to incident@cert-in.org.in, India’s national cyber incident response agency.
For verification or assistance, taxpayers can also contact official helpline numbers:
- 1800 103 0025
- 080 46122000
Officials said timely reporting helps authorities take down fraudulent websites and trace scam operators.
Senior Citizens Identified as Most Vulnerable
The department acknowledged that senior citizens are among the most frequently targeted groups, as fraudsters exploit trust, urgency and unfamiliarity with evolving digital scams. Many attacks are designed to create panic over penalties or refunds, pressuring victims into immediate action.
Authorities have appealed to family members and caregivers to educate elderly relatives about such frauds and assist them in verifying any tax-related communication.
Part of a Broader Cyber Safety Drive
The advisory is part of the government’s wider initiative to promote digital awareness, cyber hygiene and financial security as tax administration becomes increasingly online.
The department emphasised that vigilance and verification remain the strongest safeguards against cybercrime and urged citizens to share the advisory widely to protect vulnerable individuals.
“Think before you click — stay tax smart, stay safe,” the department said, underlining the importance of caution in the digital ecosystem.
