Beware of Fake Tax Refund Pop-Ups
Fake tax refund pop-ups have become a common cyber scam targeting Indian taxpayers. These pop-ups usually mimic the Income Tax Department’s branding and falsely claim that a refund is ready — luring victims into clicking malicious links.
In reality, the Income Tax Department never sends pop-ups or SMS links for refunds. All legitimate refund communications happen only through the official Income Tax portal or via registered email/SMS.
How Fake Tax Refund Pop-Ups Work
| Tactic Used by Scammers | What It Looks Like |
|---|---|
| Pop-up messages | “Refund of ₹17,540 ready. Click to claim.” |
| Fake I-T website clones | Similar logo, layout, and design |
| Urgent refund alerts | “Last day to verify refund!” |
| Fake form collection | Asks for PAN, Aadhaar, bank details |
| Mobile-only targeting | Popup hijacks browser or app overlay |
What the Income Tax Department Actually Does
| Legit Communication Method | Used by Income Tax Dept? |
|---|---|
| Pop-up notifications | ❌ No |
| SMS/Email from unknown ID | ❌ No |
| Email from @incometax.gov.in | ✅ Yes |
| SMS from ITDEPT | ✅ Yes |
| Refund credited via ECS | ✅ Yes |
What to Do If You See a Fake Tax Refund Pop-Up
- Do not click on any link or button
- Close the browser tab immediately
- Never enter PAN, Aadhaar, or bank details
- Report the incident at cybercrime.gov.in
- Check refund status only at incometax.gov.in
Expert View: One Simple Tip to Stay Safe
“Bookmark the official income tax portal and check the domain every time you log in. Even a single spelling mistake like ‘incomtax’ or ‘incometax.in’ instead of ‘.gov.in’ is a red flag.”
— Efiletax Cyber Safety Expert
Real Case: Kerala Police Busts Fake Refund Gang
In June 2024, the Kerala Cyber Cell arrested a group running a fake refund racket. The scam used cloned websites and pop-ups targeting salaried taxpayers during ITR season. Hundreds lost money before the scam was traced — highlighting the need for constant caution.
Stay Secure During ITR Season
Here’s a quick checklist:
- ✅ Visit only https://www.incometax.gov.in
- ✅ Enable email + SMS alerts from your bank and I-T portal
- ✅ Use two-factor authentication for tax login
- ✅ Don’t download attachments from unknown sources
- ✅ File your return through authorised platforms like Efiletax
FAQs on Fake Tax Refund Pop-Ups
Q1. Are pop-up messages from Income Tax genuine?
No. The IT Department never uses browser pop-ups for refunds.
Q2. Can I claim a refund by clicking SMS links?
Never. Refunds are processed automatically via your bank account.
Q3. Where can I report a fake refund scam?
Visit cybercrime.gov.in to file a complaint.
Summary
Fake tax refund pop-ups are cyber scams targeting Indian taxpayers. The Income Tax Department never sends refunds via pop-ups or SMS links. Always check the official portal and never share your PAN or bank details on suspicious websites. Report such frauds at cybercrime.gov.in.
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