How to Spot Phishing Emails or SMS Pretending to Be from Your Bank or Government

Banking Phishing: Recognizing Fraudulent Financial Communications

Email Address Verification Techniques

Authentic bank emails always originate from official domains. State Bank of India uses @sbi.co.in, HDFC Bank uses @hdfcbank.com, and ICICI Bank uses @icicibank.com. Phishing emails frequently use deceptive domains like @sbi-bank.com or @hdfc-verify.com that appear legitimate at first glance.

Content Analysis and Urgency Tactics

Legitimate banks never create artificial urgency around account security. Phrases like "Your account will be suspended in 24 hours" or "Immediate action required to prevent account closure" are classic phishing indicators. Indian banks follow RBI guidelines for customer communication and provide reasonable timeframes for any required actions.

Government Phishing: Identifying Official Agency Impersonation

Income Tax Department Scams

Income Tax phishing emails exploit taxpayer anxiety by threatening legal action, penalties, or refund delays. These messages often reference specific tax sections, case numbers, or assessment years to appear authentic. However, the Income Tax Department primarily communicates through registered post and the official e-filing portal.

UIDAI and Aadhaar-Related Phishing

Cybercriminals frequently impersonate UIDAI to steal Aadhaar information through fake verification requests. These emails claim your Aadhaar is deactivated, requires updation, or needs re-verification to maintain validity. UIDAI never initiates such processes through email or SMS.

SMS and WhatsApp Phishing

Fraudulent banking SMS messages create urgency around account security, card blocks, or transaction failures. Legitimate bank SMS messages provide specific transaction details, branch contact information, or customer care numbers without requesting immediate action through links.