Important Alert! Fake GST violation Notices: CBIC directs to Report Suspicious Documents

Scammers are creating and disseminating fake summonses, notices of GST violations, and other correspondence via email, WhatsApp, and SMS. Often, these fake documents mimic authentic ones in appearance, even posing as the department and using fake DocumentIdentification Numbers (DINs) to give the impression that they are authentic. They could include payment links (which CBIC never sends for tax payments), be threatening, or call for quick action.

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The CBIC has made it clear that they never send out notices of GST violations by SMS or WhatsApp. The only way to send official GST communications is via official email addresses that end in *@gov.in or *@nic.in. Document Identification Number (DIN) is included in all official notices and correspondence.

How to Verify a GST Notice?

• Check for DIN on the document. Typically, it is shown in the "CBIC-YYYY MM ZCDR NNNN" format.

• Use the 'VERIFY CBIC-DIN' window (often located under 'Online services' or 'DIN Search') to confirm on the CBIC Portal. Enter your document's DIN here. The portal will verify whether the document is authentic or fraudulent.

• Verify the sender's email address.

• CBIC never sends links for payments or form submissions, so be extremely wary of any payment connections. The official GST portal is the only way to make payments.

• Go to www.gst.gov.in, your official GST portal account, and select the 'Notices and Orders' page. The notice you received is probably fraudulent if there isn't a matching one visible there.

• If in doubt, use the official contact information from their websites to get in touch with the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) or your local CGST office (not from the questionable document).

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What to do if you receive a suspicious/fake notice?

• Don't reveal any personal information or respond to the sender.

• Do not send any funds or follow any instructions.

• As proof, preserve all relevant correspondence, including emails, messages, and letters.

• Inform the relevant DGGI or CBIC office about it. You can also report such messages to CBIC.

• Complain about cybercrime at cybercrime.gov.in.

• Raise awareness of these frauds so that others won't become victims.

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