•A new wave of cyber fraud is exploiting public interest in income tax refunds, the 8th Pay Commission, and FASTag services.
•Scammers send SMS/emails with fake links resembling official portals, urging users to update bank details, verify PAN, or share OTPs.
•Authorities clarify that government departments never ask for confidential details like OTPs, CVVs, or full banking passwords via SMS/email.
•Scams include fake income tax refund messages, WhatsApp messages with APK files for 'revised salary' under 8th Pay Commission, and fraudulent FASTag annual pass websites.
•To stay safe: beware of urgent messages, odd links, random sender IDs; never share OTPs/PINs; verify information only on official government websites like 8cpc.gov.in, NHAI, or income tax e-filing portal; report suspicious activity to cybercrime.gov.in or 1930.
