ICAI cautions Chartered Accountants and Students from Fake Social Media Pages

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India ( ICAI ) has cautioned the Chartered Accountants, Students, and Public at Large in respect of Fake Social Media Pages.

In an Advisory issued by ICAI said that This is to inform all the Members and Students of ICAI and public at large that it has come to the notice of ICAI that various Fake Social Media Pages are being operated illegally on ICAI’s name and logo. They are making various announcements and reference material on which the ICAI has sole and exclusive intellectual property rights (IPRs). They are also making false announcements and posting fake material which is derogatory and objectionable. The contents of the said fake accounts/pages cause confusion in the minds of the Members and Students of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India in particular and public at large in general. Further, the contents of the said platforms are also misleading and create a false impression that the material/ announcements posted thereon have the authentication of ICAI.

The ICAI also states that it is having its own verified Social Media Accounts running on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.

The Acting Secretary of ICAI, Rajesh Sehgal also said that “the ICAI does not have any other social media accounts and if anybody claims or propagates that it is the social media account of ICAI, the public, Students and Members are advised to exercise caution and immediately bring it to the notice of the ICAI for necessary action”.

“It is made clear that the information on the said fake social media pages have been posted/circulated without the knowledge and authority of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and you are advised not to be misled and confused by it”.

“It may be noted that posting and forwarding fake and derogatory content on these Social Media Platforms is a violation of the law. Therefore, ICAI hereby warns such social media accounts and the persons controlling them to immediately cease and desist such platforms that are illegal and ICAI reserves the right to initiate appropriate coercive actions both under criminal as well as civil laws”, he also added.

However, in the meantime, all Members, Students of the Institute, and the public at large are hereby advised not to follow such fake ICAI Social Media Pages in their own interest.