Do not click on this dubious web link to claim GST refund
A message that is going viral on social media claims that the government has introduced online processing of Goods and Service Tax (GST) refunds due to the coronavirus outbreak. The message is attached with a link to claim GST refunds.
The message reads: “Due to COVID-19 Outbreak, Central Govt. Has Started Online Processing of GST Refund. Click Below to Claim Your Refund. https://www.onlinefilingindia.in/“
Many Twitter users got confused and wanted clarity on the claim.
@gst_apctd @PMOIndia @narendramodi @ApiicOfficial we got the message of GST refund regarding #COVIDー19
Kindly give a clarity on this
Due to COVID-19 Outbreak, Central Govt. Has Started Online Processing of GST Refund. Click Below to Claim Your Refund.https://t.co/20vgtmGgZ9— SRI VENKATESWARA POWER SYSTEMS (@sri_systems) May 3, 2020
Due to COVID-19 Outbreak, Central Govt. Has Started Online Processing of GST Refund. Click Below to Claim Your Refund.https://t.co/A0MZDUmcby
Is it correct ?
— Raman Sarda (@iRaman87) May 2, 2020
TRUTHÂ
Using a keyword search that led us to the tweet by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) as they mentioned that the message and link are fake. CBIC has asked people not to click on any fake link that promises refunds. The official website for GST related filing is https://www.gst.gov.in/ and not the https://www.onlinefilingindia.in/ Press Information Bureau (PIB) also retweeted the tweet.
Taxpayers Beware !!!
Please do not click on any fake link which promises to give refund. These are phishing messages and are not sent by CBIC or @Infosys_GSTN. Visit https://t.co/GTcdBJ0Pec for online filings related to GST #IndiaFightsCorona #StaySafe pic.twitter.com/IFifz0wdV0— CBIC (@cbic_india) May 3, 2020
With the help of domain tools, led us that the dubious website was created only five days ago on May 1, 2020, and registered only for a year.
Most of the government websites have “gov.in” at the end of the web link but in these case, the URL of this website https://www.onlinefilingindia.in/Â don’t have that.
According to the media report, CBIC had decided to expedite its GST refund process during the lockdown. In the 39th GST Council meeting, it was decided that the GST refund process should be smoothened to help business. Read the article here.
This confirms that the message is fake and not related to the GST refund.
