Beware of New Tax Refund Scam: Cybercriminals Targeting Indian Taxpayers with Fake Income Tax Website
Cybercrime practitioners have always maintained consistency with new scams. From scams via social media to bank and tax scams, the threats never cease to exist.
The Tech Outlook has covered some of these scams. Recently, reports of WhatsApp scams operated through WhatsApp calls were covered by us. Unknown international numbers were using video call features of the app to carry out frauds. Not only this even on Twitter, there is a Flipkart Support Scam that targets users who are looking for actual help from Flipkart. We have done a detailed video on it, you can watch it below.
In recent developments, a new Tax Refund Scam is initiating havoc among people in India.
Beware of Tax Refund Scam! Do not click on any suspicious link. Immediately #Dial1930 to report online financial fraud and file a complaint to report any #cybercrime on https://t.co/cr6WZMOi4c#ScamAlert #IncomeTaxRefund #MaliciousLinks #ThinkBeforeYouClick #CyberAware #CyberSafe pic.twitter.com/d8RIEbEVCF
— Cyber Dost (@Cyberdost) May 29, 2023
On 23 May Cyber Dost reported the new scam on their Twitter handle @Cyberdost. For those who don’t know about Cyber Dost, it is a Cybersecurity awareness handle maintained by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
Reports on the tweet mentioned that the said scammers first send messages to taxpayers. The messages which come via sms or mail include a refund of tax notifications. A user is then redirected to a fake Income Tax website.
Through the website, the scammers gain access to bank details and other sensitive information. The information is then further used for cybercrime.
The tweet mentioned that a person receiving such messages can and should report it to #Dial1930 immediately. The mentioned number can be used to report online financial fraud. A victim can also file a complaint on cybercrime.gov.in
The tweet also saw comments by netizens mentioning other such financial frauds.
Sir Ye ak scamer ka number hai jisse froud karte hain aap iske number ko track karke pata kariye aur iske saathi bhi hain scamer ka maine scamer ka 1 task complete Kiya jiske badle Rs.150 diya uske baad isne ak group link Diya jisme add hua fir isko scamer 2.3 ble to remove k dya pic.twitter.com/RFcST92qBY
— SHEHZADA (@itShehzada) May 29, 2023
Reports have also noted similar scams previously this year in the USA. This includes phishing emails that request verification of information; filing of tax returns; claims that a person’s SSN has been suspended in the USA; phone calls that demand tax payments; calls from fake tax agencies other than the IRS in the USA; emails requesting additional tax forms; claims of overdue payments; Offer in Compromise (OIC) scams; fake IRS messages claiming one owes a larger return and many others.
Recently a Netflix hit Jamtara was also released which is based on real events about scammers.
With all these new scams surfacing now and then, it would be ideal if you are cautious on the web and social media. On having any doubts, try consulting the concerned authorities. Staying safe would help you stay away from future troubles.
