Watch out: Tax scams are on the rise!
The Income Tax Department is warning everyone about a spike in phishing scams where fraudsters pretend to be tax officials.
They're sending fake emails, texts, and links to lookalike websites, all trying to grab your personal info—like PAN numbers, passwords, or OTPs.
The department especially wants seniors (and honestly, all of us) to double-check any messages claiming to be from them.
How to stay safe (and what to do if you spot a scam)
Stick to the official website—www.incometax.gov.in—for anything tax-related, and don't trust sites with similar names.
Real tax officials will never ask for your passwords or OTPs.
If you get a sketchy message or email, report it right away at webmanager@incometax.gov.in or incident@cert-in.org.in.
You can also call their helpdesk at 1800 103 0025 or 080 46122000 if you need support.
The department hopes everyone spreads the word so friends and family don't fall for these tricks!