Fake Income Tax Department (e-filing) calls and apps

Callers using the Income Tax Department's name for arrest threats, settlement money and refund apps. Learn the script and verify.

The Income Tax Department runs the e-filing portal where Indian taxpayers file returns, check refunds, link PAN with Aadhaar and respond to notices. Because many people use it, scammers pretend to be Income Tax Department (e-filing) on phone calls, in apps and on WhatsApp. This page lists the lies they usually tell and how to check before you act.

Lines used in fake Income Tax Department (e-filing) calls and apps

Caller says a tax officer is on the line and demands immediate payment to close your case
Fake CA or assistant asks for your e-filing password to push a refund
Caller threatens a raid or arrest unless a settlement is paid in cash or UPI
WhatsApp message with an 'ITR refund app' that asks for card and net banking details

How to verify it yourself

Log in to the e-filing portal at the address you type by hand, incometax.gov.in, and check Pending Actions and e-Proceedings for notices. Refund status is visible there, and refunds are credited to the bank account pre-validated on the portal. The department does not ask you to download a refund app, share a password, or pay a settlement to a personal account. A genuine notice also appears in your registered email and on the portal.

Quick checklist

Do not tap links or call numbers inside the message.
Open the official app, or type the official website yourself, and look for the same notice.
Never share an OTP, PIN, CVV or password with anyone, including "staff".
If money moved, call 1930 and your bank at once.

How Safeavio helps

Safeavio Sentinel's phone scan lists apps outside a store, risky permissions and settings such as unknown sources, and the Money Shield checklist slows you down before you send money. It cannot stop a call, but it helps you spot a fake app afterwards.

Check it before you tap or pay

Safeavio Sentinel is a made-in-India Android app: paste a message or link, or scan a QR code, and get a plain verdict with the reasons. It helps you spot a scam; it does not promise to stop every one.

Download for Android What the app does

Google Play listing: coming soon. Today the signed APK is on safeavio.com/download. Android 7.0 or later.

Questions

A caller says they are from Income Tax Department (e-filing). Is it real?

Treat it as unverified. Hang up and contact Income Tax Department (e-filing) through its official app or the number printed on your card, bill or official website. Never install an app or share an OTP because a caller asked.

Can Income Tax Department (e-filing) ask me to install an app on a call?

Be very careful. Scammers use screen-sharing and fake apps to watch your screen and read OTPs. Install apps only from the official store listing that you find yourself, never from a link or a caller.

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Income Tax Department (e-filing) is a trademark of its owner. This page is not affiliated with or endorsed by Income Tax Department (e-filing); it only describes how scammers pretend to be it.