ITR Refund 2025: Government Flags Fake Income Tax Refund Emails, Warns Taxpayers Of Scam Risk

If an email promising an income tax refund has landed in your inbox recently, the government says it may not be what it claims to be. Tax authorities have warned that a new round of fraudulent messages is doing the rounds, targeting taxpayers with claims that refunds have been approved, held up, or require urgent verification.

Officials say these emails are part of a wider phishing campaign aimed at extracting sensitive personal and banking information. The timing is deliberate. At a time when many people are still waiting for their refunds, such messages are finding easy targets. The tax department has clarified that these emails are fake and has advised taxpayers not to respond to them.

A Familiar Pattern, New Tactics

The structure of these messages is designed to look reassuringly official. Subject lines refer to refunds “released,” “pending confirmation,” or “under manual review.” The mail usually drops in details like the assessment year or a PAN reference to sound authentic. Some even feature logos and layouts similar to those used in government communication.

What sets these messages apart is the call to action. The message usually asks the recipient to follow a link to confirm details or update bank information. That is where the problem begins. The link redirects users to a bogus site that asks for passwords, card numbers, or OTPs, and in some cases can even compromise the device itself.

Tax officials stress that this is not how the refund system works. Genuine refunds are processed automatically and credited to the bank account already validated on the e-filing portal. There is no step where taxpayers are asked to reconfirm details through an email or external link.

Where Taxpayers Are Going Wrong

One reason these scams continue to succeed is familiarity. Most taxpayers expect some communication around refunds, and a well-timed email can lower guard just enough to prompt a click. Cyber experts say urgency is another common lever. Messages often warn that refunds will lapse or be cancelled if action is not taken immediately.

Authorities are urging taxpayers to slow down and verify before reacting. Any message that pressures users to act quickly or share confidential information should be treated with suspicion. The department does not seek passwords, bank details, or OTPs over email, SMS, or messaging apps.

Instead of responding to such messages, taxpayers are advised to log in directly to the official e-filing portal by typing the address themselves or using a saved bookmark. If a refund has been processed or is under review, it will show up clearly in the account dashboard.

Steps to Take If You Receive Or Act On A Fake Email

If an email about a tax refund looks off, the simplest response is to ignore it altogether and delete it. Flagging such messages with the tax department or cybercrime authorities also helps curb repeat attempts.

For those who may have already clicked on a link or shared information, immediate action is critical. Passwords should be changed without delay, banks should be informed, and account activity should be monitored closely for any unauthorised transactions.

Officials say awareness remains the strongest defence. As tax processes move increasingly online, fraud attempts are becoming more polished and harder to spot at first glance. Knowing that legitimate refunds do not require email-based verification can prevent costly mistakes.

The government’s message is straightforward: when it comes to income tax refunds, trust only what you see after logging in through official channels, and treat unsolicited emails with extreme caution.