evidence: A message is doing rounds and has gone viral claiming that taxpayers have received an income tax refund of Rs 15,490. "You have been approved a tax refund of Rs 15,490 and the amount will be credited to your account number 5xxxxx6755. If this is not correct please update your bank account information by visiting the link below," the message reads. When we received this photo through WhatsApp, we began our investigation and found that the viral message was fake. PIB Fact Check, a fact-checking unit of the Press Information Bureau, has also issued a clarification in this regard so that taxpayers don't fall for hoax IT refund scams. It asked people to beware of such scams and refrain from sharing their personal information. It is pertinent to mention that as per government rules, the Income Tax department sends the refund after the IT return is duly processed. The Income Tax Department has warned that taxpayers should not click on such fake messages or open any attachments.