ITR Refund Scam ALERT – A new record of over 6.77 crore Income Tax Returns (ITRs) were filed till 31st July, 2023. As per government release, this is was a record growth of 16.1 per cent Year-on-Year.
The income tax department has already processed refunds for the eligible taxpayers and many individuals still await their refund in their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.
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This window between income tax filing and tax refund into the bank accounts has been used by fraudsters to scam people. A new viral fraudulent message is being spread on social media which claims to be from income tax department and deceives innocent individuals into giving details in lieu of income tax refund into their bank account. A certain amount is also mentioned in the message to make people believe into their fake story.
Government-run PIB Fact check took to the microblogging site and warned people about the new scam. “You have been approved an tax refund of Rs 15, 490/- the amount will be credited to your account number 5xxxxx6755. If this is not correct please update your bank account information by visiting the link below,” it read.
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It added, “A viral message claims that the recipient has been approved for an income tax refund of ₹ 15,490. This claim is 𝐅𝐚𝐤𝐞. @IncomeTaxIndia has 𝐧𝐨𝐭 sent this message. 𝐁𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞 of such scams & 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 from sharing your personal information.”
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How to protect yourself?
One should be guided by the fact that no government agency or bank asks for personal details, including debit and credit card numbers or OTPs. In case of income tax refund, taxpayers should be aware that the income tax department never shares a link for a refund on mobile number. The refund is an automated process which is done based on your registered bank account details in their record which is linked with your mobile number and Aadhaar card.
