Beginning this tax year, the IRS has legitimately been requesting information as to your personal bank account with the aim of issuing a refund check by direct deposit rather than by paper check. And, of course, there from time to time arise problems with incorrect or incomplete banking information. That is the scammers’ opportunity.
If there is a problem with your banking information, the IRS will mail you a Form CP53E, asking you to update your information. Here is where the scam comes into play. The scammers are mailing fraudulent versions of these forms in envelopes that look very legitimate.
The fraudulent forms contain a QR code, and they invite you, the recipient, to scan it. Don’t. The IRS does not use QR Codes. Scanning this code will direct you to a fraudulent site that will capture your banking information for the bad actors.
In addition, the fraudulent form includes an alternative way to update your banking information, namely by calling a 1-800 number. Don’t. The number is not the IRS, but rather is maintained by the scam group.
If you receive a phone call, an email, or a text that represents itself as being from the IRS, almost certainly it is fraudulent. The IRS communicates with taxpayers through the mail. Unfortunately, this latest scam uses the U.S. Postal Service; and, as it would seem, is intended to avoid suspicion.
If you receive what may be fraudulent communication from the IRS, the only thing you should do is send it (along with the envelope) to your attorney.
If you do want to confirm the accuracy of your bank information, you can log into your own official account through the IRS website. Otherwise, if you are expecting a refund and your banking info is incorrect, the IRS will, as it has in the past, simply mail you a physical check.