Emails ask taxpayers to download fake PAN cards: How to stay safe
New Delhi, Jul 24, 2025
Cybercriminals attempting to steal financial information of people, says fact-check unit of government
If you receive an email claiming to be from the Income Tax Department and asking you to download your e-PAN card, do not click links in it. The department doesn’t ask taxpayers to download and the email is fake.
The fact-check unit of the Press Information Bureau has said that such emails mean to trick users into revealing sensitive financial information.
What’s the scam
The fraudulent e-mail usually contains:
A message prompting you to click on a link to “download your e-PAN card”
A sender ID that may look official but will have anomalies (like spelling errors or unusual domains)
An attachment or link that could install malware or redirect you to a fake website
What PIB has advised
Do not click links in suspicious emails
Avoid downloading attachments from unknown sources
Do not share any financial or personal details in response to such emails, SMS or calls
Report phishing e-mails claiming to be from the Income Tax Department on the official portal, https://incometaxindia.gov.in/pages/report-phishing.aspx
Why you should care
Cybercriminals often use urgency or fear to push people into making hasty decisions. With tax-related communications, users are especially likely to respond quickly without verifying authenticity.
What you can do
-Enable spam filters on your e-mail account
-Verify before you act: Legitimate government bodies do not ask for sensitive details over e-mail
How to download your e-PAN safely
If you’ve misplaced your PAN or need a digital copy, you can download it free of cost through the official portals. Here's how to do it safely:
1. Via NSDL (for PANs issued through NSDL):
Visit: https://www.tin-nsdl.com
2. Click on ‘Download e-PAN’ under the Services tab
3. Enter your PAN, Aadhaar number (for individuals), and date of birth
4. Authenticate with OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number
5. Download your e-PAN in PDF format
1. Via UTIITSL (for PANs issued through UTIITSL):
Visit: https://www.pan.utiitsl.com
2.Click on ‘Download e-PAN Card (For PAN Allotted Older or More than 30 Days)’
3.Enter your PAN, date of birth, and captcha
4.Validate via OTP on your registered mobile or e-mail
5.Download your e-PAN
[The Business Standard]
