GST Refund Agent Scam by SMS

How it looks by SMS, the red flags and what to do.

SMS scams lean on short, urgent lines and a shortened link. The message looks official because the sender name (header) is shaped to resemble a real organisation. GST Refund Agent Scam is one of the ways this shows up: An agent or caller claims a large GST refund is pending and asks for a fee, login or OTP to release it. See how small businesses are cheated.

What gst refund agent scam looks like by SMS

• A sender name that resembles a bank, courier, tax or utility, or an ordinary mobile number.
• A very short message with a deadline such as "today" or "within 24 hours".
• A shortened or oddly spelled link that does not match the real website.

Scammers use public information such as business names and GST numbers listed on invoices or directories. They call with the correct trade name and say that a refund is stuck due to a 'mismatch' that only they can clear. Some pose as a department officer, others as a consultant with 'insider access', and they speak with the language of returns and credits.

Red flags to check on the text message

• A refund that requires a fee to a personal account.
• A request for your GST portal login or OTP.
• A notice with a link to a portal address you do not recognise.
• A promise of a large refund from an unknown caller.
• It tells you to install an app from a link instead of the official store.
• The link domain is not the one you type yourself for that organisation.

What to do

1. Do not click the link or share a login or OTP.
2. Check refund status on the official GST portal typed by hand with your own login.
3. Ask your accountant or tax professional to verify any notice.
4. Report the sender on the Sanchar Saathi portal (Chakshu facility) and block the number.
5. Delete the message and tell family members who may get the same text.
6. Do not reply, do not tap the link and do not call the number in the message.

You can report suspicious SMS and calls on the Sanchar Saathi portal (Chakshu facility) of the Department of Telecommunications.

If money or a code is already gone

1. Change your portal password and check the registered mobile number and email.
2. Call 1930 and report at cybercrime.gov.in if money was paid or lost.
3. Tell your bank on the number printed on your card about any suspicious transfer.
4. Inform your accountant and review filings made in your name.

National Cyber Crime Helpline: 1930; report at cybercrime.gov.in.

Safeavio's link check can look at a refund link from an email or chat before you open it and warn about lookalike portal addresses, and the scam check on pasted text marks the fee, the OTP request and the deadline. It cannot log in to a tax portal or confirm a refund, so use the official GST portal and your accountant for that.

Full guide: GST Refund Agent Scam: how it works, signs and what to do. Other channels: phone call, email, WhatsApp.

Questions