As the Income Tax Return filing deadline for non-audit cases for the assessment year 2023-24 has passed, many taxpayers have begun receiving their refunds after their returns have been processed by the tax department. However, with this opportunity, scammers are taking advantage and attempting to deceive people with fraudulent income tax refund messages.
A widely circulated fake message has caught the attention of official fact-checkers, such as PIB FactCheck, and even the Income Tax Department itself. The message claims that you have been approved for an income tax refund, often citing a specific amount like Rs 15,490, and asks you to verify or update your bank account information in order to receive the refund. It provides a link that recipients are urged to click on, usually a URL like "https://bit.ly/20wpYK6".
It is crucial to be aware that this message is a scam. The Income Tax Department will never request you to provide or confirm your bank account details through messages. Legitimate income tax refunds are directly deposited into the bank accounts that taxpayers have already provided and verified when filing their returns. The Income Tax Department also communicates refund-related information through registered email IDs and mobile numbers.
Refunds are processed and sent only after the Income Tax Department has thoroughly reviewed and approved your Income Tax Return (ITR). If there is any need for further information or clarification, the department will notify you via the email address you've registered.
To safeguard yourself against such scams, it is advised to avoid clicking on links sent through SMS or messaging apps. Respond only to official communication from the Income Tax Department. If you ever receive a message asking you to update or verify your bank details by clicking on a link, report the message to the Income Tax Department as a complaint.
For those who missed the original filing deadline on July 31, 2023, there's still an opportunity to submit a belated ITR until December 31, albeit with a late fee. However, it's important to note that there are penalties associated with missing the initial deadline. Over 6.7 crore ITRs were filed by taxpayers by the original due date, with more than 3.44 crore of those returns already processed by the Income Tax Department.
In conclusion, it's crucial to remain vigilant and cautious when receiving messages regarding income tax refunds. Be wary of unsolicited messages asking for personal information or directing you to unfamiliar links. Protect yourself by only engaging with official communication from the Income Tax Department and reporting any suspicious activity.
The author is a Chartered Accountant with 2 decades of experience into Accounting, Taxation, Auditing, Risk & Compliance, Credit Controls, Due diligence. Currently, the author is the founder and managing partner at RRL Global Services.
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