A taxpayer has reportedly lost Rs 1.5 lakh after acting on a fraudulent message claiming there was a delay in their income tax refund. The incident has prompted a fresh caution from the Income Tax Department, especially at a time when concerns over refund timelines remain high. Over the past year, refund processing speed has been widely discussed among taxpayers. Many individuals who filed returns early voiced frustration on social media about delays in receiving their money back.
Authorities, however, have maintained that refunds are released only after proper verification and reconciliation of data, particularly in cases where mismatches are detected. While most refunds are processed within weeks, cases flagged for discrepancies, scrutiny, or pending validation can take longer. Scammers are now capitalising on that anxiety.
How The ‘Refund Delay’ Scam Works
According to a post shared bytax advisoryplatform TaxBuddy on ‘X’, fraudsters typically begin by sending a message stating that your refund is pending and requires immediate verification. The message includes a link that appears legitimate at first glance.
Once the link is clicked, victims are redirected to a counterfeit website designed to mimic the official Income Tax e-Filing portal. They are then prompted to enter sensitive information such as PAN, login ID, and password. An OTP is requested under the guise of verification. In certain cases, bank account details are also sought.
The moment these credentials are shared, fraudsters gain control. In the recent reported case, this led to a loss of Rs 1.5 lakh.
Why Taxpayers Are Falling Victim
Refund-related communication naturally grabs attention. When messages warn of a ‘refund delay’ or suggest the amount could lapse without urgent action, they create panic. Scammers intentionally use fear-driven wording, “final reminder” tones, threats of cancellation, and calls for immediate response.
The strategy is straightforward: create urgency, trigger anxiety, and push the recipient to act without verifying authenticity.
What the Income Tax Department Does NOT Do
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