Urgent Alert: When Unknown PANs Haunt Your Inbox – A Taxpayer’s Dilemma and How to Protect Yourself

In an increasingly digitized world, the convenience of online services comes with the inherent risk of data mismatches and security concerns. A recent exchange on X (formerly Twitter) between a concerned citizen, Karna Bharath Kumar (@kbk458), and the official Income Tax India handle (@IncomeTaxIndia) has brought to light a peculiar and potentially alarming situation for taxpayers: receiving alerts for PAN numbers that do not belong to them.

On June 13, 2025, Mr. Kumar tweeted to Income Tax India, expressing his distress over receiving alert messages linked to a PAN (KHQXXXXX3C) that he explicitly stated was not his. His primary concern, and rightly so, was to have this errant PAN delinked from his mobile number to “avoid future repercussions.” The Income Tax India handle promptly responded, advising Mr. Kumar to write to them with his details via a provided bit.ly link for their team to get in touch.

This incident serves as a crucial reminder for all taxpayers to remain vigilant about their financial information and the communications they receive from official sources. While the exact nature of the “alerts” Mr. Kumar received is not detailed, such notifications can range from transaction updates, e-filing confirmations, or even notices related to income or deductions. If these relate to an unknown PAN, it could indicate a serious data breach, a clerical error, or even an attempt at identity theft.

What Taxpayers in Similar Situations Must Do:

If you find yourself in a similar predicament, receiving alerts or communications for a PAN that you do not own or recognize, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to protect yourself and rectify the situation:

1. Do Not Ignore It: The first and most critical step is to take these alerts seriously. Ignoring them could lead to significant complications down the line, including potential legal or financial liabilities linked to the unknown PAN.

2. Gather Evidence: Document everything. Take screenshots of the alert messages, note down the sender’s details (email ID, SMS shortcode), the specific PAN mentioned, and the date and time of receipt. This evidence will be crucial when you communicate with the Income Tax Department.

3. Verify Official Communication Channels: Always ensure that any link or contact method provided is legitimate. In Mr. Kumar’s case, the Income Tax India’s official X handle provided a bit.ly link. While generally reliable, it’s always safer to cross-reference with the official Income Tax India website (incometax.gov.in) for contact information or grievance redressal mechanisms. Avoid clicking on suspicious links from unknown senders.

4. Contact Income Tax India Officially: As advised to Mr. Kumar, the best course of action is to formally write to the Income Tax Department.

• Online Grievance Redressal: The Income Tax Department has a dedicated grievance redressal mechanism. You can raise “Grievance” at following link: https://eportal.incometax.gov.in/iec/foservices/#/fo-greivance/submit
• Email/Letter: Clearly state your issue, providing all the evidence you’ve gathered. Explicitly mention that you are receiving alerts for a PAN not belonging to you and request its de-linking from your registered mobile number/email ID.
• Mention “Unauthorised PAN Linkage”: Use clear terminology to describe the problem.

5. Monitor Your Own PAN Activity: While resolving the issue with the unknown PAN, it’s equally important to regularly check your own income tax portal for any discrepancies. Access your Form 26AS, AIS (Annual Information Statement), and TIS (Taxpayer Information Summary) to ensure all financial transactions and tax credits are accurate and relate solely to your PAN.

6. Update Contact Information: Ensure your contact details (mobile number, email ID) linked to your actual PAN are up-to-date on the Income Tax e-filing portal. This helps ensure you receive legitimate communications and reduces the chance of misdirected alerts.

7. Be Wary of Phishing Attempts: Sometimes, such alerts can be part of sophisticated phishing scams designed to trick you into revealing sensitive information. Never share your PAN, Aadhaar number, bank details, or OTPs in response to unsolicited calls, SMS, or emails. The Income Tax Department will never ask for such information over the phone or through unsecure channels.

The case of Karna Bharath Kumar underscores the need for constant vigilance in our digital interactions, especially concerning sensitive financial data. By acting promptly and following the correct channels, taxpayers can safeguard themselves against potential misuse of their identity and ensure their financial records remain accurate and secure.