Important Client Alert: IRS Notices Requesting Bank Account Information (CP53E) — Be Alert for Scams

By Garrett Murphy, CPA

At Boyer & Ritter, protecting our clients goes beyond tax and assurance services—it includes helping you stay informed about emerging threats that could put your personal or business information at risk. We are receiving reports that some taxpayers are receiving IRS notices requesting bank account information (often referencing Notice CP53E). While CP53E can be a legitimate IRS notice in certain situations, scammers may also be circulating fraudulent look-alike notices designed to steal personal and financial information.

Beware of Fake IRS CP53E Notices

CP53E is an official IRS notice that may be issued when the IRS cannot issue a refund by direct deposit (for example, when direct deposit details are missing/incorrect, a bank rejects the deposit, or an account cannot be validated). In those legitimate cases, the notice may instruct the taxpayer to add or update bank information through an IRS online account within a stated timeframe (often 30 days). Recent reports also indicate the IRS may have inadvertently issued CP53E notices to some taxpayers who did not request a refund—so receiving an unexpected CP53E is not, by itself, proof of fraud.

That said, tax professionals have also reported clearly fraudulent versions of CP53E that mimic IRS formatting and tone. The rapid shift toward electronic refunds (and away from paper checks) this filing season may be contributing to confusion that scammers are trying to exploit. Fake notices may push you to provide bank account details through a non-IRS website or other unsecure method.

Key Red Flags to Watch For

• Requests to click a link or scan a QR code to “verify” or “resolve” an issue
• Directions to a website that is not IRS.gov (or a misspelled/odd-looking web address)
• Telephone numbers or mailing addresses that don’t match known IRS contact information
• Requests for a response via email or text message (the IRS generally does not use these methods for initial contact)
• Messages creating a sense of urgency or fear, such as threats of penalties or account suspension
• Any suggestion that a refund can be issued via gift card or other unusual payment method

As a general rule, only respond to IRS notices by accessing IRS.gov directly (not through links/QR codes), and independently confirm any unfamiliar website, phone number, or mailing address shown on a notice before taking action.

What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious IRS Notice

If you receive a letter or message related to a CP53E notice—or any IRS notice that doesn’t seem right—take the following steps:

• Do not click on any links or scan QR codes included in the notice
• Do not respond by email or text, and do not provide personal or financial information until you’ve verified the notice
• Log into your account by navigating to IRS.gov directly to review notices and account activity
• Use IRS phone numbers or mailing addresses you already know are legitimate (or verify them independently) rather than relying on contact details printed on a suspicious notice
• Forward suspicious emails to phishing@irs.gov to report potential tax scams
• If you’ve already interacted with a questionable notice, contact your Boyer & Ritter advisor immediately and consider placing a fraud alert with the credit bureaus

When in Doubt, Call Us

If you’re ever unsure about an IRS notice, it’s best to pause before taking action. The Boyer & Ritter team is here to help you verify communications and determine the appropriate next steps—before a mistake becomes costly.

If you have questions about IRS notices or concerns about potential scams, please contact your Boyer & Ritter advisor.

About the Author

Garrett Murphy, CPA, is a Tax Manager at Boyer & Ritter and provides tax compliance and advisory services to businesses and individuals. Reach Garrett at 717-761-7210 or gmurphy@cpabr.com.