A taxpayer recently lost Rs 1.5 lakh after responding to a fake “refund delay” message.
The Income Tax Department has now issued a fresh warning as fraudsters take advantage of refund-related anxiety.
Over the past year, many taxpayers have worried about delays in receiving refunds.
Social media is full of complaints from individuals who filed early but still awaited their money.
While the government says most refunds are processed quickly, cases with data mismatches or verification issues can take longer. Scammers are exploiting this fear.
How the Scam Works
Tax advisory platform TaxBuddy explains that the scam usually starts with a message claiming your refund is pending and requires urgent verification.
The message includes a link that looks official.
When clicked, the link redirects you to a fake website resembling the Income Tax portal.
It asks for:
PAN, login ID, and password
One-time password (OTP) for “verification”
Sometimes, bank details
Once these details are shared, fraudsters can access your account. In the recent case, the taxpayer lost Rs 1.5 lakh.
Fraudsters rely on urgency and fear, using messages that warn about refunds being delayed or cancelled.
This pressure often leads taxpayers to click quickly without thinking.
How to Stay Safe
The Income Tax Department has made it clear:
It never sends refund verification links via SMS
It does not ask for OTPs, passwords, or bank details through messages or calls
Refund status can only be checked by logging directly into the official e-Filing portal
If you are expecting a refund:
Always log in directly to the official portal to check status
Ignore urgent messages asking for verification
Never share OTP, password, or banking details
Report suspicious messages to the IT Department or CERT-In
Key Takeaway
Refund delays can happen due to verification, but any message pressuring you to act immediately is a red flag. During refund season, caution and verification are your best protection against fraud.