Income Tax payer? Beware of fraudsters lurking in your emails and SMS alerts!

Time and again the Income Tax Department takes stern and preventive measures to ensure the security of the accounts of  tax payers. And yet, there seems to be no end to fraudsters lurking amongst our mails and SMS's. Income Tax Returns or ITR is the amount one saves on his taxes. There are seven forms of ITR i.e ITR1, ITR2, ITR3, ITR4, ITR5, ITR6 and ITR7 depending on one's income and other criteria. By filing ITR, helps a taxpayer save big on their taxes, and it is this refund amount which grabbed attention of scammers. 

In the latest trend, it is being warned that a fraudster can fool you through messages, emails. Hence, it becomes of utmost importance, that one stays vigilant and alert! But how to know if such emails or SMS's received are genuine or not? The Income Tax Department has come up with various steps, including a pop-up alert on their official website to ensure that the tax payers do not let their money slip out of their hands.

The Income Tax Department constantly warns that it never sends mails asking for any OTP, PIN or similar information with regard to debit/credit cards, bank details via emails, SMS or calls.

Phishing and how some people get away with it.

Phishing is a fraudulent measure taken by an unanimous individuals or group of individuals, to dupe the victim into thinking they are a trustworthy entity. In simple words, they steal away your money while getting hold of your carelessness and blind trust.  

Phishing emails and SMSes generally can be recognized, if they contain spelling or grammatical errors or have a questionable email id.

If you receive a phishing email or SMS, the IT department warns the following: 

1. DO NOT OPEN any attachments as it may contain malicious code.

2. DO NOT CLICK any links. Even if you have clicked on links inadvertently then DO NOT enter personal or financial information such as bank account, credit/debit/ATM card, Income Tax details, etc.