PAN Card related financial frauds are increasing day by day. The daily number of reports is being registered at a very fast pace. Furthermore, the scam is not only limited to a few people, there is a whole community involved in it. A few months ago, a few scammers got new credit cards issued against the stolen PAN details of a few celebrities including MS Dhoni and actors Shilpa Shetty, Abhishek Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit and Emraan Hashmi.

What is a PAN Card?

PAN Card is issued by the Income Tax Department, ID proof-carrying a 10-digit unique identity number with which the authority tracks every financial transaction of a person, to identify his or her tax liabilities accurately.

Misuse of PAN Card

Taking immediate action is crucial when there are suspicions of PAN card misuse to minimize potential harm and safeguard your financial security. If you believe your PAN has been misused, follow these steps to verify the situation and take appropriate measures:

Regularly Check Financial Statement

Regularly monitor your bank statements, credit card bills, and all other financial transactions for any signs of suspicious or unauthorised activity. Be vigilant for transactions that are unfamiliar or were not initiated by you.

Do Check the Credit Report

Acquire a copy of your credit report from a credit bureau such as CIBIL and carefully examine it for any unauthorized accounts or credit applications linked to your PAN card. If you come across any inconsistencies, promptly report them to the credit bureau.

Review Your IT Department Account

Go to the authorized website of the Income Tax Department and log into your account using your PAN card credentials. Thoroughly review your tax filings to verify that there are no inconsistencies or unauthorized modifications. For instance, you can examine the details in Form 26AS.

File a Police Complaint

If you possess substantial evidence of PAN misuse, such as fraudulent financial transactions, identity theft, or unauthorized access, file a complaint with your local police station. Provide them with comprehensive information and supporting documents related to the incident.