IRS Notice cp53e Scam - Beware Scamming - Fraud 1 1 21 1 Apr 14, 2026 2026-04-14T14:54:12-05:00 Apr 14, 2026 2026-04-14T16:42:32-05:00 Online Threat Alerts (OTA) A fraudulent IRS Notice CP53E is circulating that attempts to steal banking information by asking recipients to scan a QR code or call a number to "receive a refund," often dated in the future. Do not reply, scan, or call. Legit CP53E notices only request updates via the official IRS online account. Safety TipsFake Contact Info: Scammers use QR codes, fake phone numbers, or emails to solicit bank details, which the IRS never does.Future Dating: The letter may be dated a week or more in the future.The "Penalty" Trap: Even if you owe money, you might get a fake letter claiming a small penalty refund to trick you.No Urgent Action Needed: If you ignore the fake letter, you will simply receive a paper check in the mail later, usually within 6 weeks.Use Only Official Channels: Only update banking info by logging directly into irs.gov.If you receive a suspicious letter, verify it by checking your IRS account transcript directly at IRS.gov to see if a real notice was issued.