All About PAN Card Misuse/Fraud
PAN Card has become a necessity for many transactions and of late, it acts as one of the most used forms of identification. People even use PAN as a form of identification proof every day at various places that demand identity proof. While a PAN Card has turned out to be a very useful tool, one has to be careful and make sure that it is not misused.
PAN Card is a vital document issued by the Income Tax Department of India which is considered as a valid identity proof.
A PAN Card is not just only a valid identity or date of birth, but it also helps the Income Tax department to track the finances of the taxpayer. Due to the rise in misuse of PAN Cards, loss of money and identity theft have increased significantly. Though PAN is a useful document in terms of income tax filing, and other financial purposes, it is vital to check and report PAN fraud to keep your PAN safe from fraudsters. Read on to learn more about PAN Card fraud.
What is PAN Card Fraud?
If PAN Card is used for criminal activities or is used to impersonate an individual then, it is known as PAN Card fraud. In most cases, a PAN Card turns out to be a financial crime.
What Are the Ways PAN Card Frauds Can Occur?
The ways in which PAN Card frauds occur are as follows:
- Applying for credit card and loans
- Purchase of jewelry illegally
- Renting vehicles or hotel rooms
- Opening bank account
- Loss of money by entering the OTP received on an SMS asking to update PAN
Consequences of PAN Fraud
Listed below are some of the consequences that one might face if they are a victim of PAN misuse.
- The PAN holder might be held responsible for transactions made using their PAN by a third party.
- Your CIBIL score might suffer if someone uses your PAN to apply for loans and credit cards. Though the chances of this happening is quite rare.
PAN Card Misuse Complaints
Here are the steps you would need to follow to complain about PAN Card fraud:
Step 1 - Visit the official portal of the Tax Information Network.
Step 2 - Navigate to the ‘Customer Care’ section in the top right corner.
Step 3 - Select ‘Complaints/Queries’ from the drop-down menu.
Step 4 - Fill in the complaint form by writing your complaint.
Step 5 - Enter the captcha and click on ‘Submit’.
How to Avoid PAN Card Fraud?
Here are some ways in which you can avoid PAN Card fraud:
- Check if the URL begins with ‘https’ when you visit a website as it is safe to enter your PAN number on such websites.
- Attest PAN Card photocopies along with the reason for submitting them during submission.
- On suspicious websites, never enter your full name and date of birth.
- Track your credit score regularly.
- For transactions linked with your PAN Card, check Form 26AS.
Note: The ‘s’ in ‘https’ stands for secure that indicates the site is encrypted.
Steps to Check PAN Card Misuse Online
To check whether your PAN Card has been misused or not, follow the below given steps:
Step 1 - Visit the credit bureau website.
Step 2 - Check your credit score.
Step 3 - Enter your financial details.
Step 4 - Verify the OTP sent to your mobile number.
Step 5 - The credit score will indicate whether there has been any misuse of your PAN Card or not.
Related Articles on PAN Card
FAQs on PAN Card Fraud
- How do I report PAN Card fraud?
You can report PAN Card fraud by logging in to the Tax Information Network of the Income Tax Department and navigating to the customer care dropdown to file a complaint.
- What if my PAN Card is stolen?
If your PAN Card is stolen, you should report the matter to the Income Tax authorities by visiting the online portal of the Tax Information Network and file a complaint.
- How can I deactivate my PAN Card?
To deactivate your PAN Card, you can visit the online portal of the Tax Information Network of the IT department.
- How can I check my PAN Card usage?
You can check your PAN Card details along with where it has been used by visiting the online portal of the Tax Information Network of the IT department.
- Can anyone commit a fraud with a PAN Card?
Yes, criminal activity or fraud can happen with a PAN Card by stealing your identity and money from your PAN Card.
- Can someone misuse your PAN Card?
Yes, a fraudster may use your PAN Card to impersonate your identity or perform financial transactions on your behalf for criminal purposes.
- Can a PAN Card be faked?
Yes, it is possible to produce fake PAN Cards due to which you need to take necessary precautions whenever you use your PAN Card.
News About PAN Card Fraud
PAN Card Scam Alert
The Government of India has issued a warning against the new PAN card scam shared via email that offers upgraded PAN 2.0. Scam emails are aimed at stealing sensitive personal information from citizens, including their Aadhaar, PAN, and bank details. Any emails that offer upgraded PAN 2.0 sent from suspicious mail IDs can be fake, especially if the address does not end in .gov.in or nic.in. The users are warned by the Press Information Bureau and the Income Tax Department that people must not click on links sent from unverified sources. All PAN card-related services are provided through legitimate government websites, and the Income Tax Department never sends unsolicited emails or SMS to citizens asking for sensitive information. If you receive scam emails, report them immediately by forwarding them to webmanager@incometax.gov.in or incident@cert-in.org.in.
Disclaimer
Credit Card:
Credit Score:
Personal Loan:
Home Loan:
Fixed Deposit:
Copyright © 2025 BankBazaar.com.