PAN Scam Calls for Verification/Update — How to Identify & Stay Safe

INDIA — By BharatSecure Threat Intelligence Team · Updated May 28, 2026

Severity: HIGH | View Full Scam Details

PAN Scam Calls for Verification/Update in India 2026: Beware of These Fraudulent Phone Calls

A rising number of calls claiming urgent PAN verification or update demands are targeting Indian residents, putting their personal and financial data at high risk.

What Is the PAN Scam Calls for Verification/Update?

The PAN Scam Calls for Verification/Update refer to fraudulent phone calls where scammers impersonate officials from the Income Tax Department, banks, or government agencies in India. They claim that your PAN (Permanent Account Number) details need urgent verification or updating to avoid legal trouble or penalty. This scam mainly targets taxpayers and individuals who use PAN for financial transactions, especially during the tax filing season or after government announcements related to finance and taxation.

Such calls have become increasingly widespread across urban and rural India, as fraudsters exploit the trust people place in official government communications. According to complaints received by cybercrime cells and public advisories issued by CERT-In (Computer Emergency Response Team — India) and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), these calls are a common method fraudsters use to extract sensitive information or money. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) too has highlighted the need for caution around unsolicited calls requesting financial details, including PAN and Aadhaar numbers.

How This Scam Works — Step by Step

1. Initial Call: You receive a phone call from a number claiming to be from the Income Tax Department, a bank, or a government agency. The caller may use caller ID spoofing to make the number appear official.
2. Building Trust: The caller greets you with your name and partial PAN details, information often obtained from data leaks or social media profiles, to gain your confidence.
3. Urgent Verification Demand: The caller informs you that your PAN details are outdated or show suspicious activity. They warn you that failing to verify or update the details immediately could lead to penalties, blocking of your bank accounts, or legal action.
4. Request for Personal Information: You are asked to provide sensitive data such as the full PAN number, Aadhaar number, bank account number, OTPs (One-Time Passwords), or even UPI PINs under the pretense of verifying your identity.
5. Phishing for Authorization: The caller may instruct you to share OTPs received on your phone or initiate UPI transactions to “verify” or “update” your PAN.
6. Fund and Data Theft: Once the fraudster has this information, they misuse your data to conduct unauthorized transactions, steal your money from linked bank accounts, or commit identity fraud.
7. Covering Tracks: To prevent you from noticing, the fraudster may ask you to download apps or software that allow remote access or manipulate your phone settings.

Real Warning Signs to Watch For

• Calls claiming to be from Income Tax or government bodies that pressure you to act immediately.
• Any request for OTPs, UPI PINs, or passwords over the phone.
• Offers to "update" or "verify" PAN without formal written communication or official websites.
• Caller ID that mimics government or bank numbers but changes if you call back.
• Demands for payments or transfers to unknown accounts, even for supposed fines or penalties.
• Requests to download apps or software during the call.
• Repeated calls or threats of legal action to coerce you into sharing data.

What Happens to Victims

Victims of PAN scam calls often suffer financial losses due to unauthorized transactions from their linked bank accounts or UPI wallets. Since PAN is tied to several financial services in India, such as income tax filing, bank accounts, and mutual fund investments, misuse of these details can lead to multiple types of fraud, including identity theft.

Emotional distress is common as victims feel violated and helpless. Victims may face difficulties reversing transactions, especially if UPI PINs or OTPs were shared. SIM swap fraud can also happen if scammers misuse details to get a new SIM card issued in your name, allowing them to intercept OTPs and bank alerts.

What RBI and CERT-In Say

The Reserve Bank of India has issued multiple warnings advising customers never to share OTPs, PINs, or confidential banking details over the phone. RBI’s guidelines stress that banks or government bodies will never call asking for these details or demand immediate payments.

CERT-In advises users to remain vigilant about phishing calls and urges reporting suspicious calls via the national cybercrime portal, cybercrime.gov.in. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) supports this by coordinating quick responses to such scams. For any suspected fraud or cybercrime, citizens are encouraged to contact the 1930 cybercrime helpline for assistance.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Never share OTPs, UPI PINs, or passwords over the phone under any circumstances.
2. Verify any call claiming to be from the Income Tax Department or banks by calling official helpline numbers directly.
3. Do not trust caller ID alone; use the official website or app to cross-check important requests.
4. Avoid downloading any apps or software from links sent during unsolicited calls.
5. Regularly monitor your bank and UPI transaction statements for unauthorized activity.
6. Register your number on the Do Not Disturb (DND) list to block telemarketing calls.
7. Report suspicious calls immediately to the cybercrime portal and local police.

What to Do If You've Been Targeted

1. Stop sharing any more information during the call or messages.
2. Immediately block the number and record call details if possible.
3. Change your online banking and UPI PINs as a precautionary measure.
4. Report the incident to your bank and ask them to monitor or freeze transactions if needed.
5. File a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at cybercrime.gov.in.
6. Call the 1930 cybercrime helpline for guidance and support.
7. Consider notifying your mobile service provider if SIM swap or misuse is suspected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can the Income Tax Department call me directly for PAN updates?
No. Typically, official PAN-related communications come via SMS, emails from registered domains, or notifications on the e-filing portal, not unsolicited phone calls demanding urgent action.

Q: What should I do if I mistakenly shared my OTP during a suspicious call?
Immediately inform your bank, block your accounts if possible, and report the incident on the cybercrime portal. Also, change your banking passwords and UPI PIN without delay.

Q: Is there a way to verify if a call about PAN verification is genuine?
Yes. Hang up and call the official Income Tax helpline or your bank using verified contact numbers found on their official websites. Do not use numbers given during the suspicious call.

Check any suspicious PAN-related messages or calls on BharatSecure.app to verify legitimacy, and report fraud immediately by calling the 1930 cybercrime helpline.

Disclaimer: This article describes a pattern of fraud reported in public sources for public-safety awareness. It is not legal, financial, or medical advice. To request correction or removal of any content, write to hello@bharatsecure.app.