New Delhi, Dec 7 (NationPress) The Income Tax Department has issued a crucial fact-check to warn the public about fraudulent e-mails that claim to provide a download link for the e-PAN card, as stated by an official on Sunday.

The fact-check, developed in collaboration with the Press Information Bureau (PIB), emphasized, "Stay Alert Against Fraudulent Emails requesting the download of e-PAN cards." The PIB also shared a screenshot of a phishing email that purportedly offered a "step-by-step guide" to download an e-PAN card online.

The Income Tax Department clarified that it never solicits sensitive personal data via email.

"Do not engage with any emails, links, calls, or SMS that prompt you to share financial or sensitive information," warned the department.

Moreover, it reiterated that it does not send emails asking for your PINs, passwords, or similar credentials related to credit cards, banks, or any financial accounts, according to a statement.

The department further advised that if anyone receives an email from someone claiming to be affiliated with the Income Tax Department or directing them to an Income Tax website, they should refrain from responding or opening any attachments.

"Attachments may harbor malicious code that could compromise your computer," it cautioned.

The advisory continued, "Avoid clicking on links. If you do click on links in a suspicious email or a phishing site, do not enter any confidential details such as bank or credit card information."

It also urged citizens not to copy and paste links from messages into their browsers, as phishers can disguise links to appear legitimate, potentially redirecting users to harmful websites.

The department advised maintaining up-to-date anti-virus software, anti-spyware, and a firewall, as some phishing emails might contain harmful software that can jeopardize your computer or monitor your online activities without consent. Proper security software can shield users from unintentionally accepting such malicious files.

Encouraging taxpayers to report phishing attempts, the I-T Department stated, "If you receive a phishing email unrelated to the Income Tax Department, please forward it to incident@cert-in.org.in."

"If you encounter an email or website that appears to impersonate the Income Tax Department, please send the email or URL to webmanager@incometax.gov.in. A copy can also be sent to incident@cert-in.org.in," it added.

The advisory stated that users could forward the message as received or include the email's Internet header, which contains additional information to help track the sender. After forwarding the email or header information, users should delete the message, according to the advisory.