Don’t share PINs, passwords, I-T Dept cautions taxpayers

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 5

The Income Tax Department today cautioned taxpayers not to share their PIN or password of mails, saying it never asks for such details.

In a statement, the department said it is to ensure that taxpayers are aware the department does not seek confidential or financial information of the taxpayer over email.

The Income Tax Department has issued an advisory to ensure that taxpayers are aware that the Department does not seek any confidential or financial information of the taxpayer over email.

The statement said the Income Tax Department has been at the forefront of using technology in implementing its e-Governance initiatives. Most of its routine communication to taxpayers is through email and SMS. “Therefore, the Department is very sensitive and alert to attempts made by fraudsters to spoof the Department’s identity to send phishing emails”, it said.

“The Income Tax Department never asks for your PIN numbers, passwords or similar access information for credit cards, banks or other financial accounts through e-mail. The Income Tax Department appeals to taxpayers not to respond to such e-mails and not to share information relating to their credit card, bank and other financial accounts,” the advisory said.