The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) cautioned citizens and GST-registered taxpayers against fraudsters issuing fake and fraudulent summons for Goods and Services Tax (GST) violations. The CBIC has recently noticed that some individuals with malicious intent are fabricating and distributing fake summons to taxpayers, regardless of whether they are under investigation by the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI).
The caution has been issued by CBIC so that GST taxpayers do not get fraud and lose their money according to the Press Information Bureau (PIB) release on January 24, 2025.
The fake summons, issued by fraudsters, closely resemble the genuine ones, as they incorporate the department’s logo and us a fabricated Document Identification Number (DIN). These fake DINs are designed to make the documents appear authentic.
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How taxpayers can safeguard themselves against fake GST notice scam
To safeguard against such scams, CBIC reiterates that taxpayers should verify the authenticity of any communication, including summons, issued by CBIC officers. The verification must be done before responding to any GST notice to ensure it is genuine notice. This can be done easily through the ‘VERIFY CBIC-DIN’ feature on the CBIC website.If taxpayers find that a summon, letter, or notice is fake upon verifying the DIN, they should promptly report it to the concerned office. This allows the competent Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) or CGST formations to take enforcement action against fraudsters attempting to deceive the public with counterfeit documents.
What is DIN under GST
The Document Identification Number (DIN) under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a unique code introduced by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) to ensure transparency and authenticity in official communications. It is applicable to all documents issued by CBIC officers, including notices, summons, orders, and other correspondences. Every letter, notice or summon issued by the CBIC will have a DIN to ensure its authenticity.
How to verify DIN on the CBIC website to check genuine GST notice
Step 1: Visit https://esanchar.cbic.gov.in/DIN/DINSearch. This is a government website to check the authenticity of the GST notice.
Step 2: Enter the DIN provided on the document and captcha code on the website. Click on submit.
After, submission, the website will confirm the authenticity of the communication received from the GST.
Here are some important FAQs related to fake GST.
Why is DIN important for GST communications?
DIN helps GST taxpayers in several ways:
Authenticity: It ensures that documents are issued by authorized officers.
Accountability: Enables traceability of communications.
Fraud Prevention: Protects taxpayers from counterfeit documents designed to deceive them.
What should taxpayers do if they find a fake summons or document?
If a taxpayer discovers a fake summon, letter, or notice during the verification process, they should :
Immediately report it to the concerned CBIC office.
This will enable the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) or CGST formations to take enforcement action against the fraudsters.
What steps can taxpayers take to protect themselves from fake GST summons?
GST taxpayers must always verify the DIN of any document received from CBIC officers through the official website. GST taxpayers must avoid responding to or acting on communications that cannot be verified. Taxpayers should report any suspicious or fake documents to the nearest CBIC office immediately.
