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Stay safe from the Income Tax refund phishing scam


Stay safe from the Income Tax refund phishing scam


While you eagerly wait to claim your tax
 refund, don’t be too eager to click on any SMS link or email that communicates the same. Fraudsters may send you an SMS or email requesting you to fill forms or share personal bank details claiming to pay you your tax refund. The Income Tax department does not send any such emails or SMS, only use the official e-filing portal for filing returns.
•Be aware there can be other applications of similar nature and same modus operandi.
•Please do not share the following details on any website:

          ✳️Debit/Credit Card details such as CVV, ATM, PIN

✳️Bank account number, OTP & mPIN

      ✳️Mobile application activation message
 

Quick tips to protect your account

Never respond to communication requesting personal information

Axis Bank does not ask you to download any remote access app or disclose your passwords, credit/debit card numbers, bank account numbers, or other personal/financial information via SMS, email. In case you get an email or a phone call asking you to disclose your password or share personal security details, please do not disclose any sensitive information.
To raise concerns on having received such communication, you may send an email to your bank helpdesk.


Make your password difficult to crack

When you create your password, make it at least 6 characters long. Include at least one capital letter, one numeral (0-9) and one special character (like @, #, $, etc). This makes the password very difficult to crack.

Validate the SSL Certificate

If you are in any doubt, click on the lock icon at the bottom of the secured page. This opens up a new window, displaying the SSL certificate information. Ensure that there is no red cross mark preceding the title 'Certificate Information'.

You can get more information by clicking on the other tabs in the certificate window.

How to safeguard your account against false offers of funds

  • You may receive letters/emails from foreign entities/Individuals claiming to offer huge amounts of money in foreign currency, on the pretext of helping you in your business/ venture.
  • These may request for your bank account details and ask you to remit an initial deposit/commission so that they can transfer the money offered.
  • They may also claim that huge sums of money for disbursal of loans at cheap rates are kept in an account with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and may show copies of certificate/deposit receipts purported to have been issued by the Reserve Bank.
  • RBI does not maintain any account in the name of individuals/companies/trusts in India to hold funds for disbursal and it cautions you against such offers.
  • Also, RBI has received approvals/clarification requests from individuals/entities for effecting remittances in foreign currency towards commission/fees for receiving prizes won in overseas lottery schemes, etc.
  • Do not participate in lottery-like schemes functioning under different names, such as money circulation, scheme or remittances for the purpose of securing prize money/awards, etc. These are prohibited under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999.                                           

    Caution against fictitious offers of remitting cheap funds from abroad RBI Press Release: 2007-2008/770, Dated- December 7, 2007

    The Reserve Bank of India has advised members of public not to fall prey to fictitious offers for release of cheap funds claimed to have been remitted by overseas entities to banks in India/Reserve Bank of India. Members of the public should also not make any remittance towards participation in such schemes/offers from unknown entities.

    Describing the typical modality of such offers, the Reserve Bank of India stated that certain foreign entities/individuals, including Indian residents acting as representatives of such entities/individuals, make offers through letters/emails, etc., of huge money in foreign currency to resident individuals/entities (including schools/hospitals), on the pretext of helping them in their business/ventures in India. Once the contact is established, the offer is followed by a request seeking details of bank account of the Individuals/Indian entity and asking some amount to be remitted to them as initial deposit/commission so that the offer money could be transferred. Likewise, references have been also received in the Reserve Bank in the recent past from individuals/authorised dealers seeking approvals/clarifications for effecting remittances in foreign currency towards commission/fees for receiving prizes won in overseas lottery schemes, etc. It has also come to the notice of the Reserve Bank that certain overseas organisations have been advising individuals/companies/trusts in India that huge sums of money for disbursal of loans in India at cheap rates has been kept in an account with the Reserve Bank and the funds would be released after approval from the Reserve Bank. To substantiate their claims, even copies of certificate/deposit receipts purported to have been issued by the Reserve Bank are produced by such operators. The Reserve Bank of India has today clarified that remittance in any form towards participation in lottery schemes is prohibited under Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999. Further, these restrictions are also applicable to remittances for participation in lottery-like schemes functioning under different names, such as money circulation scheme, or remittances for the purpose of securing prize money/awards, etc. The Reserve Bank of India has further clarified that it does not maintain any account in the name of individuals/companies/trusts in India to hold funds for disbursal.


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