The ‘government has issued a serious warning to taxpayers in India about an ongoing phishing scam that offers upgraded “PAN 2.0” cards. The Fact Check Unit of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has issued an advisory about fraudsters sending emails claiming the launch of a new version of the Permanent Account Number (PAN) card with enhanced features such as QR codes.Emails with subject lines related to “PAN 2.0 Cards” are being sent from suspicious email IDs such as info@smt.plusoasis.com&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 Scam alert !! 📢Have you received an email asking you to click on a link to download your e-PAN Card? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PIBFactCheck?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PIBFactCheck</a> ❌ This email is <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Fake?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Fake</a> ❌ Check the sender&#39;s email ID. Never click on any link in suspicious emails and avoid downloading any attachments. ❌ Do not… <a href="https://t.co/0Ty8ujd7rN">pic.twitter.com/0Ty8ujd7rN</a>&mdash; PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) <a href="https://twitter.com/PIBFactCheck/status/1946897036663775434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;<h2>What’s the phishing scam?</h2>&nbsp;Emails with subject lines related to “PAN 2.0 Cards” are being sent from suspicious email IDs such as info@smt.plusoasis.com, urging recipients to click on a link to download their so-called “e-PAN”. These messages are designed to appear official but are, in fact, part of a cybercrime campaign aimed at stealing sensitive personal and financial data.&nbsp;<h2>Government confirms the emails are fake</h2>&nbsp;The PIB’s Fact Check team has confirmed that these emails as fraudulent and they do not originate from any government department. In a social media post, the bureau warned, “Do not respond to emails, calls &amp; SMS asking you to share financial &amp; sensitive information and report such phishing emails.”The Income Tax Department has also reiterated that it does not send unsolicited messages asking for bank details, passwords, or personal credentials. Furthermore, PAN and e-PAN services are provided only through authorised government portals, not through email links.&nbsp;<h2>How PAN 2.0 scam works</h2>&nbsp;The user receives an email claiming that a new PAN card version with QR code support is available. The email has a link for downloading the upgraded e-PAN, but clicking it redirects users to a fake government-like website where users are asked to enter sensitive information like PAN, Aadhaar, and bank account numbers. The data is collected by scammers for identity theft or financial fraud.&nbsp;<h2>Stay vigilant, be safe</h2>&nbsp;Users should be vigilant and must always verify the source of any government communication.Official emails usually come from distinct domains like @gov.in or @nic.in.Users are also advised to never click on suspicious links nor share personal data online.&nbsp;<h2>Report phishing email</h2>&nbsp;If a user receives such a phishing email, it should be immediately reported to <a href="mailto:webmanager@incometax.gov.in">webmanager@incometax.gov.in</a> and incident@cert-in.org.in&nbsp;

The email says that a new PAN card version with QR code support is available. It also has a link for downloading the upgraded e-PAN, but clicking it opens a fake government-like website where users are asked to enter sensitive information like PAN, Aadhaar, and bank account numbers. 

The ‘government has issued a serious warning to taxpayers in India about an ongoing phishing scam that offers upgraded “PAN 2.0” cards. The Fact Check Unit of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has issued an advisory about fraudsters sending emails claiming the launch of a new version of the Permanent Account Number (PAN) card with enhanced features such as QR codes. Emails with subject lines related to “PAN 2.0 Cards” are being sent from suspicious email IDs such as info@smt.plusoasis.com

The email says that a new PAN card version with QR code support is available. It also has a link for downloading the upgraded e-PAN, but clicking it opens a fake government-like website where users are asked to enter sensitive information like PAN, Aadhaar, and bank account numbers.&nbsp;

‘PAN 2.0’ scam alert: Indian govt warns taxpayers against phishing emails

The Press Information Bureau (PIB), the Indian government's fact-check body, on Tuesday (July 15) stressed that the health ministry did not advise vendors to carry warning labels on Indian snacks including jalebi, laddoo and samosa, calling the media reports, "misleading and incorrect".The fact-check unit said that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's advisory did not include any warning labels on food items sold by local vendors, stressing that there has been no specific target for Indian snacks."There have been some media reports claiming that the Union Health Ministry has directed to issue of Warning Labels on food products such as samosa, jalebi, and laddoo," he said.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Some media reports claim that the <a href="https://twitter.com/MoHFW_INDIA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MoHFW_INDIA</a> has issued a health warning on food products such as samosas, jalebi, and laddoo.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PIBFactCheck?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PIBFactCheck</a> ✅This claim is <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fake?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#fake</a> ✅The advisory of the Union Health Ministry does not carry any warning labels on food products sold by vendors,… <a href="https://t.co/brZBGeAgzs">pic.twitter.com/brZBGeAgzs</a>&mdash; PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) <a href="https://twitter.com/PIBFactCheck/status/1945080930554552534?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

It added that the health ministry had separately issued an advisory which is an initiative towards making healthier choices at workplaces, advising people about "display of Boards in various workplaces such as lobbies, canteens, cafeterias, meeting rooms etc., to raise awareness on harmful consumption of hidden fats and excess sugar."It stressed that these boards will be installed to raise awareness and as daily reminders on fighting obesity.&nbsp;https://www.wionews.com/videos/tackling-obesity-a-global-problem-8164398/embed&nbsp;"The Health Ministry Advisory does not direct Warning Labels on food products sold by vendors, and has not been selective towards Indian snacks. It does not target India's rich street food culture," the statement by the PIB read.The general advisory issued yesterday was a "behavioural nudge" to make people aware of hidden fats and excess sugar in all food products and not any particular food product."The Advisory mentions other health messages such as promoting healthy meals such as fruits, vegetables and low-fat options along with making suggestions for opting for physical activity such as encouraging use of stairs, organising short exercise breaks and facilitating walking routes," it added.This comes after the Union Health Ministry rolled out a public health initiative to promote healthy lifestyles. According to reports, the health ministry alerted all central institutions to carry ‘oil and sugar boards’, while AIIMS Nagpur has already been instructed.“This is the beginning of food labelling becoming as serious as cigarette warnings,” said Dr Amar Amale, president of the Cardiological Society of India’s Nagpur chapter, told news outlet Times of India.

The Indian government's fact check unit dismissed media reports stating that vendors will carry warning labels on Indian snacks including samosa, jalebi and laddoos, calling it "misleading".

The Press Information Bureau (PIB), the Indian government's fact-check body, on Tuesday (July 15) stressed that the health ministry did not advise vendors to carry warning labels on Indian snacks including jalebi, laddoo and samosa, calling the media reports, "misleading and incorrect". The fact-check unit said that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's advisory did not include any warning labels on food items sold by local vendors, stressing that there has been no specific target for Indian snacks. "There have been some media reports claiming that the Union Health Ministry has directed to issue of Warning Labels on food products such as samosa, jalebi, and laddoo," he said.

The Indian government's fact check unit dismissed media reports stating that vendors will carry warning labels on Indian snacks including samosa, jalebi and laddoos, calling it "misleading".

Samosas, jalebis to not carry health warnings: PIB factchecks - Here's what the new statement says

The Indian government has dismissed false claims circulating on social media claiming that ₹500 currency note will be discontinued by next year.&nbsp;A YouTube video claiming that Rs 500 currency notes will be withdrawn by the year 2026 has been picking up for the last few days, causing panic and confusion among the public. The Centre, however, has refuted the 'false' statement, saying that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) made no such statement.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cross-border-espionage-ring-arrested-indian-youtuber-spills-details-about-pakistani-mastermind-1749266066367">Cross-border espionage ring: Arrested Indian YouTuber spills details about Pakistani ‘mastermind’</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Is the ₹500 note set to be phased out by 2026? 🤔 A <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YouTube?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YouTube</a> video on the YT Channel &#39;CAPITAL TV&#39; (capitaltvind) falsely claims that the RBI will discontinue the circulation of ₹500 notes by March 2026.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PIBFactCheck?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PIBFactCheck</a> ✔️<a href="https://twitter.com/RBI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RBI</a> has made NO such announcement. ✔️₹500 notes have… <a href="https://t.co/NeJdcc72z2">pic.twitter.com/NeJdcc72z2</a>&mdash; PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) <a href="https://twitter.com/PIBFactCheck/status/1929898698290672131?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The clip, uploaded by a YouTube Channel 'Capital TV' on June 2, said that the Rs 500 banknotes will begin to discontinue from March next year. The video, which is almost 12 minutes in length, has garnered more than five lakh views.&nbsp;"Rs 500 notes have NOT been discontinued and remain legal tender," the Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check division - the Indian government's official fact-checking agency, wrote in a post on X.&nbsp;It also advised citizens not to fall for misinformation. "Always verify news from official sources before believing or sharing it," it said.&nbsp;The current ₹500 notes continue to have their amount written in 17 languages, like all the other notes in circulation. These languages include English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.&nbsp;Prime Minister Narendra Modi had demonetised the previous ₹500 notes, along with the ₹1000 notes, in a televised address on November 8, 2016. The government had billed it as a measure to fight corruption in the country and address the issue of counterfeit banknotes.&nbsp;The RBI had also introduced the new ₹2,000 currency note during the demonetisation exercise. However, those notes were withdrawn from circulation in May 2023. Despite being withdrawn, the ₹2000 notes remain legal tender.

Rs 500 notes to be discontinued? PIB debunks false claims

The Indian government has dismissed false claims circulating on social media claiming that ₹500 currency note will be discontinued by next year. A YouTube video claiming that Rs 500 currency notes will be withdrawn by the year 2026 has been picking up for the last few days, causing panic and confusion among the public. The Centre, however, has refuted the 'false' statement, saying that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) made no such statement. Also Read: Cross-border espionage ring: Arrested Indian YouTuber spills details about Pakistani ‘mastermind’

The Press Information Bureau has urged citizens to verify news from official sources to avoid panic

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‘PAN 2.0’ scam alert: Indian govt warns taxpayers against phishing emails

Samosas, jalebis to not carry health warnings: PIB factchecks

Rs 500 notes to be discontinued? PIB debunks false claims