Beware! Fraudulent ‘Income Tax Assessment Order’ Emails Are Circulating
The latest fake email highlights the importance of digital hygiene- verifying sources, avoiding unsolicited attachments, and reporting suspicious activity promptly.
A fraudulent email posing as an official “Income Tax Assessment Order” for Assessment Year 2025–26 is currently circulating online. It demands payment of a tax liability and directs recipients to click on suspicious links, a classic phishing tactic aimed at stealing personal and financial information. Authorities have clarified that the Income Tax Department has not issued...
A fraudulent email posing as an official “Income Tax Assessment Order” for Assessment Year 2025–26 is currently circulating online. It demands payment of a tax liability and directs recipients to click on suspicious links, a classic phishing tactic aimed at stealing personal and financial information.
Authorities have clarified that the Income Tax Department has not issued such emails and urged taxpayers to verify all communications only through the official e‑filing portal.
According to PIB Fact Check, this is a classic phishing attempt designed to mislead taxpayers into sharing sensitive personal and financial information. Fraudsters often use similar tactics, sending emails that allege errors in tax calculations, pending refunds, or notices requiring urgent action.
By creating a sense of urgency, they trick recipients into clicking on malicious links or disclosing confidential details. The Income Tax Department has reiterated that it never seeks passwords, OTPs, or bank account information through email, SMS, or phone calls.
The fake orders were styled to look like a government document, with “Government of India” and “Income Tax Department” headers, but marked with fake overlays to highlight their fraudulent nature.
All official tax‑related communications are routed through the secure e‑filing portal, accessible at incometax.gov.in. Genuine emails are sent only from verified domains such as @incometax.gov.in.
Taxpayers are advised to remain vigilant and avoid clicking on suspicious links. Any communication that appears dubious should be cross‑checked by logging into the official portal.
The PIB’s timely clarification serves as a reminder that taxpayers must rely only on official channels for tax matters. As online fraud grows more sophisticated, awareness and caution remain the strongest defenses against cybercrime.
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