We never ask for details via email: I-T

Fraudsters had used the I-T department for a very brief time and in a different format last year, too. But, at the time, the moment the I-T department got wind of this, it posted a message on its official website (www.incometaxindia.gov.in) and publicised warnings through advertisements in the media.

Fraudsters had used the I-T department for a very brief time and in a different format last year, too. But, at the time, the moment the I-T department got wind of this, it posted a message on its official website (www.incometaxindia.gov.in) and publicised warnings through advertisements in the media.

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Within days the fraud emails stopped coming.

The website had categorically stated that it never asks for details of credit cards, bank and other financial accounts and appealed to taxpayers to not respond to such emails.

The department had also publicised the warning through advertisements in the media.

I-T officials said they have also been cautioning people who visit the department for tax related work.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), which governs the I-T department all over the country, had also informed the cyber cell in New Delhi last year when it came across complaints of fraud emails.

“The Internet Protocol (IP) address was then traced to a foreign country,” an I-T official said.

In Mumbai, authorities have been asking people receiving such emails to visit the cyber cell of the Mumbai police to lodge a complaint.

CBDT spokesperson Shishir Jha was not available for comment.