If you have received an IRS CP53E notice, do not scan any QR codes or click any links. Contact our team before taking action.
Taxpayers across the country are receiving IRS CP53E notices, and not all of them are legitimate. Some are being sent by the IRS in error, and others are outright scams designed to steal your banking information. Here is what you need to know.
What Is an IRS CP53E Notice?
The CP53E is a real IRS notice. The IRS sends it when a tax refund has been approved but cannot be delivered by direct deposit. This typically happens when banking information on the return was missing, incorrect, or rejected by the bank.
The notice gives taxpayers 30 days to log into their IRS Online Account at IRS.gov/Account and update their bank information. If no action is taken, the IRS says it will mail a paper check in approximately six weeks.
Why IRS CP53E Notices Are Causing Confusion
Two problems are happening at the same time.
First, the IRS appears to be sending CP53E notices in error. Some taxpayers are receiving them even though no refund is expected. If you were not expecting a refund and you receive this notice, do not update your banking information. The notice was likely sent by mistake.
Second, scammers are circulating fake versions of the CP53E notice. Because the real notice involves refunds and bank account details, it is an ideal target for fraud. Fake notices are designed to look nearly identical to the real thing, but they direct taxpayers to phishing websites or fraudulent phone lines to steal personal and financial information.
How to Spot a Fake IRS CP53E Notice
There are several warning signs that a CP53E notice is not legitimate:
- It asks you to respond by email, text message, or phone with banking details.
- It directs you to any website other than IRS.gov.
- It uses urgent or threatening language to pressure you into acting immediately.
- It claims an IRS employee can update your bank information for you. They cannot.
- It includes a future date or details that do not match your filing.
A real CP53E notice arrives by U.S. mail, directs you to IRS.gov/Account, and clearly states that only you can update your banking information through your IRS Online Account. The real notice does include a QR code, but because scammers can replicate QR codes to redirect you to fraudulent sites, we recommend that you do not scan it. Instead, type IRS.gov/Account directly into your browser.
What to Do If You Receive an IRS CP53E Notice
- Do not scan the QR code on the notice, even if the notice is legitimate. Type IRS.gov/Account directly into your browser instead.
- Do not call any phone number listed on the notice without verifying it first.
- If you were not expecting a refund, the notice was likely sent in error. Do not act on it.
- If you believe a refund is owed and would like the refund to be direct deposited, go directly to IRS.gov/Account by typing the address into your browser. Do not use any link or QR code from the notice itself. You will then access or establish your online account to add your bank account information.
- If you believe a refund is owed but would prefer to receive a paper check in the mail, do not respond to the notice, and a paper check will be issued after 6 weeks.
- Contact Lanigan Ryan before taking any action. We can verify the notice and advise you on next steps.
Key Takeaways on the IRS CP53E Notice Scam
The CP53E notice is real, but the situation around it right now is messy. The IRS is sending notices in error, scammers are sending convincing fakes, and taxpayers are caught in the middle. The safest approach is to bring it to your advisor and let us verify it before you respond.
If you have received a CP53E notice or any other IRS correspondence that seems unexpected, reach out to our team at Lanigan Ryan. We are here to help you sort it out.
