A fresh phishing scam targeting taxpayers is doing the rounds, with fraudsters sending emails that ask recipients to click on a link to download their e-PAN card. The Press Information Bureau’s fact-checking unit, PIB Fact Check, has flagged these messages as fake and warned citizens not to fall for the trap.
According to PIB Fact Check, these emails are designed to look like official communication from the Income Tax Department but originate from suspicious or unofficial email IDs. Clicking on such links or downloading attachments can compromise personal and financial data.
🚨 Scam alert !!
📢 Have you received an email asking you to click on a link to download your e-PAN Card?
❌ This email is #Fake
❌ Check the sender’s email ID. Never click on any link in suspicious emails and avoid downloading any attachments.
❌ Do not… pic.twitter.com/6uN0WeVlB5
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) January 30, 2026
The fraudulent emails typically create a sense of urgency, claiming that an e-PAN card is ready for download or that immediate action is required. Unsuspecting users who click on the link may be redirected to fake websites or prompted to download malware, which can be used to steal sensitive information such as PAN details, bank credentials, or passwords.
What Taxpayers Should Do
PIB Fact Check has advised people to carefully verify the sender’s email address and avoid clicking on links or opening attachments in suspicious emails. Citizens have also been cautioned not to respond to emails, calls, or SMS messages that ask for financial or personal information.
The government has urged taxpayers to report such phishing emails that claim to be from the Income Tax Department through the official reporting mechanism available on the department’s website. Reporting such incidents can help authorities track and curb digital fraud.
With online scams on the rise, officials have reiterated the need for caution and digital awareness, reminding citizens that official departments do not seek sensitive details through unsolicited emails or messages.
Also Read: Government Flags Rise In KYC, Utility Disconnection Scam Messages; Public Urged To Report On Chakshu
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