Overview on Social Engineering- Cyber Jaagrookta Diwas

Cyber Jaagrookta Diwas: Stay Alert, Stay Secure—Beware of Social Engineering!

On this Cyber Jaagrookta Diwas, let us raise awareness about the growing threat of social engineering attacks. Cybercriminals often exploit human emotions—such as fear, curiosity, sympathy, or pride—to manipulate individuals into revealing confidential information or performing harmful actions.

This Cyber Jaagrookta Diwas, we are spreading awareness against Social Engineering. Cyber Criminal often rely on human emotion like fear, curiosity, sympathy or pride to trick their victims. Cyber Criminals use social engineering tactics to trick people into revealing confidential information like cards details, log in credentials, Transferring money etc. It’s Easy to Stay Safe Online STAY VILGILANT! PREVENT FRAUD!!

What is Social Engineering?

It is a manipulation technique used by cyber attackers to trick people into revealing sensitive data like card details, login credentials, or even transferring money—without using technical hacking tools.

Beware of Income Tax Return (ITR) Cyber Scams!

On this Cyber Jaagrookta Diwas, let’s stay alert and spread awareness against rising Income Tax Return Cyber Frauds. As the ITR filing season concludes and refund processing begins, cybercriminals are increasingly targeting taxpayers with fraudulent messages, emails, and links—promising speedy refunds or urgent verification of details.  These scams are designed to trick individuals into sharing sensitive banking and personal information, leading to financial loss and identity theft.

Modus Operandi of Social Engineers

• Research & Targeting: Attackers gather information about the target using sources like social media, company websites, or public records. This helps them personalize the attack and make it seem authentic.

• Establishing Trust: The attacker impersonates a trusted person or organization—via email, phone call, or sometimes even in person—to gain the victim’s confidence.

• Manipulation & Deception: Using psychological tactics like urgency, fear, curiosity, or authority, attackers pressure the victim into acting without verification.

• Execution of the Scam: The victim is tricked into:

  • Clicking malicious links or attachments (Phishing)

  • Sharing sensitive data like login credentials or bank details

  • Transferring money (Business Email Compromise)

  • Downloading malware or granting remote access

Modus Operandi of Cyber Scammers

• Phishing Emails and Messages : Fraudsters send fake emails or SMS disguised as official communication from the Income Tax Department. These often contain links to counterfeit websites resembling the real ITR portal, designed to steal login credentials and other personal information.

• Impersonating Tax Officials : Scammers may call or even visit individuals posing as Income Tax Officers, threatening legal action or demanding immediate payment to “avoid penalties”.

• Fake ITR Websites and Mobile Apps : Fraudulent websites or mobile applications may appear legitimate but are created solely to harvest user data or install malware on devices.

• Fraudulent ITR Filing Services : Some offer ITR filing at abnormally low prices or promise quick refunds through unofficial means. They may file incorrect returns or misuse personal information for illegal activities.

How to Protect Yourself—Precautions to Protect Yourself

Stay Alert, Stay Secure

• Verify the Sender: Always confirm the authenticity of the sender’s email address, phone number, or website link.  Remember: The Income Tax Department never requests sensitive information via email, SMS, or call.

• Be Cautious with Links and Attachments: Do not click on suspicious links or attachments. Instead, directly type the official portal address — https://www.incometax.gov.in — into your browser.

• Never Share Personal Information: Do not share your PAN, Aadhaar, bank details, passwords, or OTPs with anyone, regardless of who they claim to be.

• Avoid Unrealistic Offers: Be cautious of offers promising fast-tracked refunds or unusually high returns through unofficial channels.

• Use Only Official Channels: Always file your ITR through the official Income Tax Department website or consult authorized tax professionals.

• Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Requests: Treat unexpected emails, messages, or calls—especially those requesting sensitive information—with caution.

• Always Verify Identities: Confirm the identity of the requester using official or known contact channels before taking any action.

• Limit Public Exposure of Information: Avoid oversharing personal or company details on social media or public platforms. Attackers use this data to tailor their scams.

• Secure Your Devices: Lock your devices when unattended and always log out from systems when not in use.

• Your awareness is your best defense against cyber fraud. Report suspicious activities or messages immediately to cybercrime.gov.in or your local cyber police.

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