Bhubaneswar: The Commissionerate Police, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack, on Tuesday issued a cyber advisory warning taxpayers against fake Income Tax notices being circulated through WhatsApp, as cybercriminals attempt to exploit the ongoing belated Income Tax Return (ITR) filing period.
According to the advisory, fraudsters are impersonating the Income Tax Department and sending deceptive WhatsApp messages containing fake tax notices, malicious links and file attachments. The messages are designed to trick recipients into downloading malware or revealing sensitive personal and financial information.
The police warned taxpayers not to download files with .zip or .exe extensions received from unknown or unverified sources, as these files may contain malware capable of compromising mobile phones and computers.
Once installed, the malware can enable cybercriminals to steal banking credentials, passwords and other confidential information, potentially leading to financial fraud.
The advisory also cautioned citizens against responding to messages that promise tax refunds or claim urgent action is required to avoid penalties or resolve tax-related issues. Taxpayers have been advised to verify the authenticity of any Income Tax notice, link or attachment only through official government channels before taking any action.
Emphasising the need for digital vigilance, the Commissionerate Police urged taxpayers to keep their banking details, passwords, one-time passwords (OTPs) and other personal information strictly confidential and never share them through messaging platforms or suspicious websites.
The advisory forms part of the Commissionerate Police’s ongoing cyber awareness campaign aimed at educating the public about emerging online scams and strengthening digital security.
Appealing to citizens to remain alert during the belated ITR filing season, the police noted that cybercriminals often exploit such periods to target unsuspecting taxpayers.
“Awareness is the best defence against cyber fraud. Stay Alert. Stay Safe,” the Commissionerate Police said, urging people to report suspicious messages or cyber fraud attempts to the appropriate authorities instead of responding to them.
