Did You File Your IT Returns From Fake Website Owned By Cybercriminals?

To crack down on fake websites for filing IT returns, the cyber crime police of Maharashtra unveiled some preventive measures to identify fake SMS and websites.

The move by the police came after several people raised complaints of getting messages to file IT returns even though after they had done so. So where did their money go? Well, they had paid the tax to cybercriminals and not to the government. Yes, when you receive an SMS asking you to file IT returns, people go the site-directed in the SMS which is similar to the web page of Income Tax Department and pay the money.

The message also says that their income tax refund has been approved but needs a change in the bank account number which is incorrect. The victim then goes to the site to update the login ID and password which the fraudster actually wants. If the target has his login on the Income-tax website, the fraudsters get the login credentials of the person and transfer the IT returns to their personal account when they pay for it.

They can also change their mobile number which they entered on the IT website to ensure that they do not get any message from the IT site.

Read: How To File IT Returns Before Last Date: Dos and Don’ts

Sounding an alerting, Balsing Rajput, Superintendent of Police of Maharashtra cyber crime said that people should be aware of such fake messages and websites. It asked people to cross check the IT site before entering the details while filing Income Tax returns adding that the link of the site says 'secure' before the redirecting.

Rajput also spoke about the website links of the bank and IT department. "If the link does not show bank name, then it could be a fake message," he said.