Fake GST Summons: How To Check and Verify Fake GST Notices?

Did you get a weird tax notice and feel worried? No more! In this article, you’ll figure out how to spot that fake GST summons and keep you out of trouble. Let's dive in!

What is a fake summons/fake notice?

A fake summons or notice is an imitation document posing as official government communication, often from tax authorities. It aims to intimidate recipients into unnecessarily paying money or disclosing personal information.

Scammers do this to use your fear of getting in trouble or having to pay extra money to make you act fast without stopping to think if it's actually true. Always make sure to check with the real government office before you reply to these kinds of letters.

Introduction to CBIC DGGI's advisory

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) work together to ensure that GST laws are followed and fraud prevention. 

Their recent advisory dated 10th February 2024 helps taxpayers recognise and deal with fake GST messages. This advice is meant to help people and businesses understand GST better and protect themselves from scams, making it easier to handle GST matters safely.

How to check fake GST summons and notices? 

Figuring out if GST summons and notices are real can be tricky, but we've got two straightforward ways to help you check their authenticity quickly without any complicated steps.

Method 1: To verify CBIC DIN

• The Document Identification Number (DIN) is a unique ID number for each official communication issued by the GST department.
• Here are the steps to follow for checking the genuineness of the DIN utility search on any communication claimed to have been sent from the GST department:
• Spot the DIN: First up, locate the DIN on the document. It's usually prominently displayed in the communication in the “CBIC-YYYY MM ZCDR NNNN” format. 
• Visit the CBIC Portal: With DIN in hand, visit the official CBIC portal. Click the 'Verify CBIC DIN GST' option under the 'Online services' tab.
• Enter the DIN: Enter the number you've found in the DIN field and the characters shown thereunder.
• Verify: Hit the 'Submit' button. The facility will display a confirmation message if the document is legit or bogus.

Method 2: DIN Utility Search on the CBIC's DDM Portal

• Visit the Directorate of Data Management (DDM), CBIC's online portal.
• Look for the DIN Utility Search feature.
• Enter the DIN from your document to verify its authenticity.

Method 3: Contact Jurisdictional Authorities

• Find the official contact details from the CBIC or DGGI's website. Avoid using contact information from the suspicious document.
• Call or email them with the details of the notice or summons you received.
• Ask for verification of the document's authenticity.

What action to take if the summons is found fake?

If you discover a GST summons is fake, here’s a quick action plan:

• Don’t Panic & Don’t Respond: First, stay calm and do not reply or share any personal info with the sender.
• Collect Evidence: Keep all related communications, such as emails or letters, for evidence.
• Report It: Alert the official authorities like CBIC, DGGI, or local law enforcement about the fake notice.
• Inform: Let others know about scams to help prevent them from being deceived.
• Get Help: It’s always better to seek help from an expert.
• Stay Informed: Stay informed about the new scams that are trending in the market to allow yourself to stay protected.

Fighting fake tax letters and notices means being smart and careful. Always check if tax messages are real and tell the officials if something seems wrong. Knowing what's happening and being careful helps you and others not get fooled by scams.

Verify if your GST notice is genuine or fake – Check directly from DIN portal