PIB Fact Check Confirms Viral Email is Fake; Urges People Not to Share Sensitive Information
Mumbai: A fake email claiming to offer a link for downloading e-PAN cards has triggered panic among taxpayers across India. The message, sent from [email protected], has been widely circulated online, raising concerns about phishing scams.
The email pretends to be from the Income Tax Department and includes a guide to download the PAN card. Given the sensitive nature of PAN cards, which are essential for tax filings and financial transactions, the message has quickly grabbed public attention.
The issue gained traction after screenshots of the email surfaced on social media. Many users flagged the email as suspicious, prompting authorities to act.
In response, the PIB Fact Check team—India’s official fact-checking unit—posted a warning on X (formerly Twitter).
The post clearly stated:
“The email is FAKE. Do not click on any links or respond to such messages.”
PIB further warned users not to share personal information like bank account numbers, passwords, or PINs in response to emails, SMS, or phone calls.
It also clarified that the Income Tax Department does not ask for such sensitive details via email.
The email raised immediate red flags as it came from a non-government domain, featured poor formatting, and contained misleading content designed to look official.
Authorities have advised users to stay alert and avoid clicking on any links or downloading attachments from suspicious emails.
People who have received such emails are urged to report them immediately to:
📧 [email protected]
📧 [email protected]
The incident is a reminder of the growing sophistication of phishing attempts. Officials urge citizens to verify the source of any communication before providing personal details online.
Cyber experts recommend always checking the sender’s email address, avoiding unknown links, and enabling multi-factor authentication on financial accounts.
