Income Tax Department Phishing Advisory: Safe E-Filing And Verification

The Income Tax Department has issued a fresh warning to taxpayers, with a special focus on senior citizens, about fake emails, SMS messages and websites pretending to be official communication in order to steal personal and financial details. People have been urged to stay alert and verify every message linked to tax matters.

According to the Income Tax Department advisory shared on X, fraudsters are misusing technology by creating false sender IDs, deceptive links and look-alike websites. These scams aim to capture information such as PAN numbers, login passwords and one-time passwords, which can then be used for financial fraud.

Income Tax Department advisory on safe access to e-filing services

The Income Tax Department advisory stresses that taxpayers should use only the official portal https://www.incometax.gov.in for any e-filing or tax-related service. Any other website that copies this address, uses terms like “efiling”, or shows altered spellings must be treated as suspicious and avoided for logging in or sharing data.

The advisory highlights the message, "Think Twice, Act Wise," and reminds citizens that the Department never requests OTPs, passwords or confidential personal information through email, SMS or phone calls. Taxpayers are asked to inspect email IDs and website domains closely before pressing any link, especially when messages promise refunds or threaten penalties.

Income Tax Department advisory on reporting phishing and helpdesk support

To improve public awareness and response, the Income Tax Department advisory urges people to report any suspected phishing attempt. Suspicious mails can be sent to [email protected], with a copy to [email protected], which is handled by the national cyber incident response agency for tracking and technical action.

The Income Tax Department advisory also lists official helpdesk numbers for anyone needing assistance or clarification. Key official contacts are presented below for quick reference.

This public campaign, led by the Income Tax Department advisory, is part of a wider government push on cyber hygiene and protection against online fraud, especially for senior citizens and other vulnerable users. The Department has requested citizens to share this guidance with family members, stating, "Think before you click--stay tax smart, stay safe," underscoring that informed caution remains the best shield against tax-related cyber scams.