Skip to content

Identity phishing

PAN Card Blocked SMS Scam

The message says your PAN is blocked or your bank account will be frozen because PAN is not updated, and asks you to fix it through a link. The page steals your bank login and OTP.

if you got this

Treat it as a scam until you check. Don’t click, pay or share a code. Check PAN and PAN-Aadhaar link status yourself on incometax.gov.in.

Check my message with KavalFree to start. Nothing to install.

what it looks like

Forwarded

Dear Customer, your account will be blocked today. Please update your PAN card immediately: bit.ly/pan-update-now

PAN-Aadhaar linking deadlines were real and widely reported, so a PAN warning feels plausible.

red flags

  • A short link to “update PAN”
  • Your bank account will be blocked “today”
  • Asks for net-banking login, card details or OTP
  • Comes from an ordinary mobile number

if it’s happening now

  1. Check PAN and PAN-Aadhaar link status yourself on incometax.gov.in.
  2. Check your bank account in your bank’s official app.
  3. If you entered bank details, call your bank now and change passwords.
Already clicked, paid or shared something?

Don’t

  • Do not update PAN through a message link.
  • Do not share OTPs.

Save this evidence

  • SMS screenshot
  • The link
  • Any bank alert

Stop it happening again

  • Do PAN and KYC updates only on incometax.gov.in or in your bank’s app or branch.

questions people ask

Can a bank block my account over PAN through an SMS link?

Banks do not ask you to update PAN through SMS links. Check in your bank’s official app or visit a branch.

How do I check if my PAN is linked to Aadhaar?

On incometax.gov.in, using the Link Aadhaar Status option. Type the address yourself.

Last reviewed 25 September 2026.