Emails ask taxpayers to download fake PAN cards: How to stay safe

Cybercriminals attempting to steal financial information of people, says fact-check unit of government

If you receive an email claiming to be from the Income Tax Department and asking you to download your e-PAN card, do not click links in it. The department doesn’t ask taxpayers to download and the email is fake.

 

The fact-check unit of the Press Information Bureau has said that such emails mean to trick users into revealing sensitive financial information.

 

What’s the scam

 

The fraudulent e-mail usually contains:

 

• A message prompting you to click on a link to “download your e-PAN card” 
• A sender ID that may look official but will have anomalies (like spelling errors or unusual domains) 
• An attachment or link that could install malware or redirect you to a fake website

 

What PIB has advised

 

• Do not click links in suspicious emails 
• Avoid downloading attachments from unknown sources 
• Do not share any financial or personal details in response to such emails, SMS or calls

 

Report phishing e-mails claiming to be from the Income Tax Department on the official portal, https://incometaxindia.gov.in/pages/report-phishing.aspx

 

Why you should care

 

Cybercriminals often use urgency or fear to push people into making hasty decisions. With tax-related communications, users are especially likely to respond quickly without verifying authenticity.

 

What you can do

 

-Enable spam filters on your e-mail account

 

-Verify before you act: Legitimate government bodies do not ask for sensitive details over e-mail

 

How to download your e-PAN safely

 

If you’ve misplaced your PAN or need a digital copy, you can download it free of cost through the official portals. Here's how to do it safely:

 

1. Via NSDL (for PANs issued through NSDL):

Visit: https://www.tin-nsdl.com

 

2. Click on ‘Download e-PAN’ under the Services tab

 

3. Enter your PAN, Aadhaar number (for individuals), and date of birth

 

4. Authenticate with OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number

 

5. Download your e-PAN in PDF format

 

1. Via UTIITSL (for PANs issued through UTIITSL):

Visit: https://www.pan.utiitsl.com

 

2.Click on ‘Download e-PAN Card (For PAN Allotted Older or More than 30 Days)’

 

3.Enter your PAN, date of birth, and captcha

 

4.Validate via OTP on your registered mobile or e-mail

 

5.Download your e-PAN