SynopsisAttention taxpayers: a fraudulent Income Tax notice demanding a payment of Rs 6,000 has been detected online. The Fact Check team from the Press Information Bureau has categorically identified it as a phishing scam. Citizens are strongly advised not to respond to such deceptive messages from unfamiliar sources. Remember, the Income Tax Department will never ask for sensitive financial details via email.ET Online​Got message to pay Rs 6,000 in tax? It may be fake​A notice asking taxpayers to pay Rs 6,000 towards their tax liability is being circulated online in the name of the Income Tax Department. However, taxpayers should not act on the notice, as the government has confirmed that it is a fake message.The Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) Fact Check team has confirmed the notice as a phishing attempt.The Fact Check team said that the fake message reportedly asks the recipient to make a payment of Rs 6,000 as part of the tax payable amount.At a time when many taxpayers are waiting for their income tax refunds, such messages can be particularly worrying. Even taxpayers who have already paid their taxes may panic after receiving a notice demanding an additional payment. This sense of urgency can lead people to make a payment without first checking whether the message is genuine.The PIB Fact Check team on a social media message on X (formerly Twitter) stated, “The Income Tax Department does not issue such notices. Beware of misleading content and always rely on official sources for verified information.”What is phishingPhishing is the process of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. Phishing is typically carried out by an e-mail or instant messaging and it often directs users to enter details at a fake website whose look and feel are almost identical to the legitimate oneHow to report suspicious messages to PIB Fact Check teamThe PIB Fact Check team has urged people to report suspicious content related to the central government.Such content can be reported to the PIB Fact Check team through:WhatsApp: +91 8799711259Email: factcheck@pib.gov.inIf you receive an e-mail or find a website you think is claiming to be of the Income Tax Department, forward the e-mail or the website URL to webmanager@incometax.gov.in. A copy may also be forwarded to incident@cert-in.org.inIf you receive a phishing mail not pertaining to the Income Tax Department, forward the same to incident@cert-in.org.inIncome Tax Department advises to avoid phishing scamIf you receive an e-mail from someone claiming to be authorised by the Income Tax Department or directing you to an Income Tax website:Do not reply.Do not open any attachments. Attachments may contain malicious code that will infect your computer.Do not click on any links. If you click on links in a suspicious e-mail or phishing website then do not enter confidential information like bank account or credit card details.Do not cut and paste the link from the message into your browsers, phishers can make the link look real, but it actually sends you to different websites.Use anti-virus software, anti spyware, and a firewall and keep them updated. Some phishing e-mails contain software that can harm your computer or track your activities on the internet without your knowledge. Anti-virus & anti-spyware software and firewall can protect you from inadvertently accepting such unwanted files. (Join our ETWealth WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)...more