ITR refund scam: Income Tax Dept warns taxpayers against falling prey to cyber fraudsters

The Income Tax Department has warned taxpayers against falling prey to cyber criminals, who are using fake emails and messages to commit online fraud.

The fraudulent emails and messages are aimed at eliciting the victims to share their bank account and other sensitive details, which is misused by the fraudsters to scam them.

The I-T Department, in a series of social media posts, said a man lost ₹1.5 lakh after clicking on a "fake income tax refund message". He was directed to a fraudulent app, which led to his phone being hacked and money debited from his account, it added.

According to the tax authority, the users who receive tax-related emails and messages should carefully verify if the same has been actually issued by the I-T Department.

The tax authority also warned the public against malicious pop-ups which they may receive on their digital devices.

The department, in a bid to raise caution, shared an example of a fake pop-up or malicious message. It may read as follows: '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.'

The department said it "will never contact you through pop-up windows". On receiving such fraudulent messages or pop-ups, one should alert the taxation body immediately, it added.

Notably, income tax refunds are issued to those taxpayers who have paid more tax during a financial year as against what was due. The overpaid tax is usually returned within a couple of weeks after filing the income tax return (ITR).