Scammers are sending fraudulent versions of IRS Notice CP53E, a letter the IRS normally mails when a tax refund direct deposit fails. These fake notices are designed to steal your banking details or personal information.
Know the Warning Signs
Watch for these warning signs:
- QR codes or links leading to websites that look like IRS.gov but aren't. These fraudulent sites are designed to capture your banking information.
- Urgent phone requests asking you to call and provide banking information. The IRS does not collect this over the phone; they are prohibited from doing so.
- Future-dated letters. The IRS never dates notices in the future.
What to Do
Don't scan any codes, click any links, or call numbers listed on the letter. Instead, go directly to IRS.gov by typing it into your browser. If you're unsure whether a notice is legitimate, contact your bank before taking any action. Your bank can verify whether a direct deposit from the IRS was rejected.
Scammers count on urgency. Taking a moment to verify can make all the difference.
We're Here to Help
If you've received a suspicious IRS notice, give us a call at (352) 383-2111 or stop by. At First National Bank of Mount Dora, keeping your finances secure is what we're here for. You can also visit us at fnbmd.com to learn more.