Fake e-PAN Emails: Is Your Tax ID Being Stolen?

Fraudsters are sending fake emails pretending to offer e-PAN downloads. If you click and share your details, scammers can misuse your PAN to take loans, file fake tax returns, or steal your identity. The government has confirmed these emails are not real.

Here's what happened: Fraudulent emails are circulating that claim to offer official e-PAN card downloads, impersonating government tax authorities.. PIB Fact Check officially flagged these emails as fake and warned taxpayers not to click links or share any personal or financial details.. Your PAN number, date of birth, and Aadhaar linked data shared via such emails can be used to commit identity theft and loan fraud..

What you should do: Download your e-PAN only from the official Income Tax portal at incometax.gov.in or the NSDL/UTIITSL websites — nowhere else.. Check your CIBIL score immediately at creditscorecard.com or via your bank app to spot any unauthorized loan applications in your name.. Report suspicious emails to the Cybercrime portal at cybercrime.gov.in or call the national helpline 1930 before deleting them..

Your PAN is enough for a fraudster to apply for instant personal loans on some fintech apps — never share it over email, WhatsApp, or phone calls, even if the sender looks official.