ITR
Spotting fake summons and tax notice scams
Updated . Every paid answer is checked by a CA. Free AI answers are labelled until a CA verifies them.
Facts
The department issues summons with a DIN and through official channels such as the e-Filing portal, registered email from official domains, or post. Threats of instant arrest or demands to pay into a personal account are signs of fraud.
Provisions and law
- CBDT Circular No. 19 of 2019 (Document Identification Number)Every communication from the department must carry a computer generated DIN; one without it is treated as never issued
- Sec 246, Income-tax Act 2025 (old Sec 131)Officers have civil court powers to summon, examine on oath and call for books and documents
Analysis
A real summons asks you to attend or produce documents; it does not settle tax over a call. Example: a caller says your PAN is involved in a money laundering case and asks for ₹2 lakh to avoid arrest. Hang up, do not share OTPs, and check your e-Filing account for any real notice. If there is nothing there and no DIN matches, treat it as a scam.
Conclusion
- Do not pay or share OTP, PAN or bank details
- Log in to the e-Filing portal and check e-Proceedings
- Authenticate any DIN quoted
- Report cyber fraud at 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in
- Tell your bank if any payment was made
The department never collects tax into personal accounts or through UPI requests from strangers.
A Savvy can do this for you
Summons, Sec 131 (now 246)
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