Fake Income Tax Department (e-filing) messages and links

Fake income tax texts about refunds, PAN-Aadhaar blocks, penalty notices and scrutiny files. See the lines and check the e-filing portal.

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) in SMS, WhatsApp and email messages. This page lists the lies they usually tell and how to check before you act.

Lines used in fake Income Tax Department (e-filing) messages

Your income tax refund of Rs 15,490 is approved, add your bank account here
PAN will be blocked, link it with Aadhaar at this link now
Income tax notice issued against your name, pay penalty to avoid arrest
Your return is under scrutiny, download the attached notice file

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

Paste the message or the link into Safeavio Sentinel (or share it to the app) and it shows a plain verdict with the reasons: urgency, a money demand, a lookalike address or an OTP request. It checks the text you give it and cannot promise to catch every scam.

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

How can I tell if a Income Tax Department (e-filing) message is real?

Do not judge by the sender name or the logo; both can be copied. Open the official Income Tax Department (e-filing) app or type its website yourself and look for the same notice. Income Tax Department (e-filing) will not ask for your OTP, PIN or password in a message.

What should I do if I tapped a link in a fake Income Tax Department (e-filing) message?

Close the page without typing anything. If you entered details, change the password at once from the official app, call your bank or provider using the number on your card or bill, and report at cybercrime.gov.in. If money moved, call 1930.

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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.