GST: Could your GST notice be fake? Here's how to distinguish between genuine and fake notices..

These days, a climate of fear prevails among small traders and shopkeepers. This fear is of 'GST notices'. It is often observed that traders panic upon seeing a government envelope or email and, fearing legal action, deposit the money without proper verification. Cyber ​​fraudsters are taking advantage of this fear. But do you know whether the notice you received is genuine or a new scam? The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has now suggested an easy way to crack down on this fraud, allowing you to determine the truth in minutes.

How Small Traders are Targeted by Scammers
Cybercriminals have become so sophisticated that they create notices that look exactly like those from government departments. They use the same logo, the same legal language, and intimidating words, which are enough to scare any ordinary person. Their main objective is to put psychological pressure on traders so that they immediately pay the money out of fear of getting into legal trouble. Several cases of fraud involving millions of rupees have come to light. Therefore, it is crucial that whenever you receive a notice, instead of panicking, you first verify its authenticity.

This One Number Will Reveal Everything
To prevent such fraud, the government has created a very effective system called the 'Document Identification Number' or DIN. This identifies any official communication or notice issued by the GST department. You can think of it as the 'Aadhaar card' of the notice. Scammers may copy the appearance of the notice, but they cannot generate a valid DIN. Although they can write any fake number on the notice, catching them is now in your hands.

Understand the Entire Process Step-by-Step
To find out whether the notice you received is genuine or not, you don't need to rush to a CA or a lawyer. You can check it yourself on your mobile or laptop. Simply follow these easy steps:

Find the DIN number: First, locate the DIN number written on your notice. It is usually in a format like “CBIC-YYYY MM ZCDR NNNN”.

Visit the website: Now, go to the official website of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).

Verification option: Under the ‘Online Services’ tab, you will find the ‘Verify CBIC DIN GST’ option. Click on it.

Enter the number: Now, type the DIN number given in the notice into the box and press the submit button.

As soon as you submit, the system will tell you whether the notice is valid or not. If the notice is genuine, a ‘Valid’ message will appear on the screen.

What to do if no record is found?
If you don't see a confirmation message after submitting, or if ‘Invalid’ appears on the screen, understand that the notice is fake and you have narrowly escaped a major scam. In such a situation, do not delay at all. This is a criminal matter, so report it immediately to the cyber cell. You can register your complaint directly by calling 1030. Remember, your vigilance is your safety.

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