As reported by Accounting Today, many accounting firms are starting to see an increase in scams involving the CP53E notices that the Internal Revenue Service has been sending to taxpayers this year when they do not provide their direct deposit information.
The notices were the result of an effort by the Trump administration to phase out the use of paper tax refund checks and urging taxpayers to provide direct deposit information on their tax returns. While the IRS is continuing to send out refund checks, it is also sending out the CP53E notices asking taxpayers to provide bank account information to expedite processing.
Fraudsters have apparently taken notice and are also sending out fake notices.
In a recent House Ways and Means Congressional alert, it was advised that a CP53E notice may not be legitimate if it includes a QR code or clickable link directing taxpayers to “verify,” “activate” or “unfreeze” a refund.