Cyber criminals stealing information during tax filing rush: McAfee

August 6, 2013

Screenshot_8 Cyber security firm McAfee has warned online tax filers to be cautious of the phishing scams and fake ads which are being perpetrated by cyber criminals to make the most of income tax e-filing rush to to steal confidential financial data of users.

Cyber criminals try to take advantage of the rush during the last days of e-filing as tax payers try to meet the deadline set by the I-T department.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes, the administrative authority of the Income-Tax Department, has extended the deadline for filing returns, both manual and electronic, to August 5, 2013.

As per McAfee, cyber criminals use phishing scams where an e-mail is sent to a number of people, saying income-tax refund is available, and once it is clicked, the user is directed to a website similar to the one owned by Income-Tax Department. Consumers are then directed to disclose personal financial details, which help scammers empty their credit card or bank account. These criminals also use fake tax filing ads that claim to help you to file taxes and direct you to fraudulent websites that steals your financial data.

McAfee has asked people filing tax returns online not to open any suspicious websites or emails from an untrustworthy source. The Income-Tax Department does not request personal information such as PIN numbers, passwords or similar access information for credit cards, banks or other financial accounts through e-mails.

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