What to Know About IRS CP53E Notices and Potential Scams

Some taxpayers filing 2025 federal income tax returns have reported receiving IRS Notice CP53E requesting bank account information to process a refund. In certain cases, this notice has been issued even when no refund was requested. Receiving this notice unexpectedly is not, by itself, cause for alarm.

At the same time, tax professionals are seeing an increase in fraudulent versions of this notice. Because it references a refund and bank account information, it can appear legitimate and prompt quick action.

What Is Notice CP53E?

Notice CP53E is a legitimate notice from the Internal Revenue Service. It is typically issued when the IRS cannot process a direct deposit refund due to missing or incorrect bank account information.

Indications a CP53E Notice May Be Fraudulent

Be cautious if the notice:

• Directs you to a website that is not IRS.gov
• Provides a phone number not associated with the IRS
• Includes a QR code
• Requests payment or refund processing via gift card or other unusual methods
• Asks for a response by email or text message
• Uses language that feels urgent, threatening, or inconsistent

What To Do If You Receive a CP53E Notice

• Do not click links or scan QR codes included in the notice
• Go directly to IRS.gov by typing the address into your browser
• Log in to your IRS Online Account to verify the notice and update information if needed
• Allow 2 to 5 days for updates to process, then check your refund status using the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool
• If unsure whether the notice is legitimate, rely only on your IRS Online Account for next steps

Key Reminder

The CP53E notice itself is real, but scammers are actively exploiting it. The safest approach is to ignore links and alternate contact instructions and use only official IRS channels to verify and respond.

Taxpayers should only respond to IRS notices by:

• Accessing the IRS website directly
• Using verified IRS phone numbers or mailing addresses
• Independently confirming any unfamiliar contact information

Questions?

If you have questions about a notice you received or would like assistance verifying its legitimacy, contact your W&D advisor at (847) 267-9600 or [email protected].

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