May 5, 2026, 3:25 PM
2025 Tax News
Accounting firms are reporting a surge in scams involving legitimate CP53E notices, which the IRS uses to request bank details when direct deposits for tax refunds fail. Over 1.4 million of these notices were sent by March 2026, and scammers are creating fraudulent versions to steal sensitive financial data.
Key Scam Tactics & Advice:
- How Scammers Operate: Fraudulent notices may include fake QR codes, direct you to non-IRS websites, or use threatening language to demand, for example, social security numbers, birthdates, or bank details.
- Verification: Verify any notice by logging directly into your official IRS Online Account to check for a copy of the letter.
- Action Required: Genuine CP53E notices request action within 30 days via the IRS Online Account; the IRS will not call or email to take this information over the phone.
- If Ignored: If the notice is not answered, the IRS will send a paper check, though this can delay refunds by up to 6–10 weeks.
- If in Doubt: Clients should contact our office immediately to confirm if the notice is legitimate.
