Report the theft to the IRS and your bank at the same time

If your tax refund check was stolen from the mail or lost after delivery, you need to report it to both the IRS and your bank (or the check issuer) on the same day you discover it missing. The IRS can stop payment on the original check and issue a replacement. Your bank can flag the check in their system so if someone tries to cash it, they have a record of the theft.

Do not wait to see if the check shows up. The longer you wait, the more time a thief has to forge your signature and cash it. If the check has already been cashed by someone else, the paper trail matters for your case.

Start with a phone call to the IRS, then follow up in writing. Have your Social Security number, the check amount, and the check number ready — you can find the check number on your tax return or in your IRS account online.

Key Takeaways

  • Call the IRS at 800-829-1040 the same day you discover the check is missing, and ask them to stop payment and issue a replacement.
  • Contact your bank or the check issuer immediately to report the theft and request they flag the check so it cannot be cashed.
  • File a police report and keep the report number — the IRS may ask for it when you request a replacement check.
  • Send a written statement to the IRS Criminal Investigation division describing what happened, along with copies of the police report and any evidence the check was cashed without your signature.
  • A replacement check typically arrives within two to four weeks after the IRS confirms the original was not cashed.

Call the IRS Criminal Investigation hotline

The IRS has a dedicated line for reporting tax-related crimes, including stolen refund checks. Call 800-829-1040 and tell the representative that your refund check was stolen. They will ask for your Social Security number, the check amount, the check number (if you have it), and the date you expected to receive it.

The IRS representative will place a stop payment on the original check. This means if someone tries to cash it, the bank will reject it. The IRS will also initiate a replacement check, which is usually mailed within 7 to 10 business days, though it can take up to four weeks depending on the IRS workload.

Ask the representative for a confirmation number and write it down. This number proves you reported the theft and can help if you need to follow up later.

Report the theft to your bank or check issuer

Call the bank or financial institution that would have cashed the check — this is usually your own bank if the check was addressed to you. Tell them the check was stolen and provide the check number, amount, and the date it was supposed to arrive.

The bank will flag the check in their system. If someone tries to deposit or cash it, the bank will either reject it or hold it for investigation. Some banks will also place a fraud alert on your account, which can help protect you if the thief tries to open new accounts in your name.

Ask the bank for a written confirmation that they have flagged the check. Keep this document with your records.

File a police report and document everything

Go to your local police station or file a report online through your city or county police website. Explain that your tax refund check was stolen from the mail or lost after delivery. Provide the check number, amount, and the date you expected to receive it.

The police will give you a report number. Write this down and keep the full report. The IRS may ask for the police report number when you request a replacement check, and you will need it if the thief actually cashed the check and you have to dispute the charge.

If you have any evidence that the check was cashed — such as a bank statement showing the deposit, a photo of a forged endorsement, or a letter from your bank — include copies with your police report.

Send written notice to the IRS Criminal Investigation division

After you have called the IRS and filed a police report, send a written statement to the IRS Criminal Investigation division. This creates an official record and helps the IRS track patterns of check theft.

Address your letter to:

Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Attn: Stolen Refund Check Report [Your local IRS office address]

In your letter, include your name, Social Security number, the check amount, the check number, the date you reported the theft to the IRS by phone, your confirmation number from that call, and a brief description of what happened (for example, "Check was not received in the mail" or "Check was stolen from my mailbox"). Attach copies of the police report and any evidence that the check was cashed without your signature.

Send the letter by certified mail with return receipt requested. Keep a copy for your records.

What to do if the check was already cashed by someone else

If you discover that the thief has already cashed the check, the process is more complicated but still recoverable. The bank that cashed the check may reverse the deposit if you can prove the signature was forged, but this can take weeks or months.

Contact the bank that cashed the check (not your own bank) and file a claim for forged endorsement. Provide the police report number, your IRS confirmation number, and any evidence that the signature is not yours. The bank will investigate and may reverse the deposit, returning the money to the IRS.

In the meantime, the IRS will issue you a replacement check. Once the original check is recovered by the bank, the IRS may ask you to return the replacement, or they may keep both and apply one to a future tax bill. Ask the IRS what will happen in your case.

Track your replacement check and watch for scams

After you report the theft, the IRS will mail a replacement check to the address on file with your tax return. You can track the status of your refund by logging into your IRS account at irs.gov or by calling 800-829-1040 again and providing your confirmation number.

Be cautious of anyone who contacts you claiming to help recover your stolen refund. Scammers often target people who have reported theft, offering to "speed up" the process or recover the money for a fee. The IRS does not charge fees to replace stolen checks, and they do not contact you by email or text message about refunds.

If you receive a call or email from someone claiming to be from the IRS and offering to help with your stolen check, hang up or delete the message. Report it to the IRS at 800-829-1040.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a replacement check after reporting it stolen?

The IRS typically mails a replacement check within 7 to 10 business days after you report the theft by phone. In some cases, especially during high-volume periods, it can take up to four weeks. You can check the status of your replacement by logging into your IRS account online or calling 800-829-1040 with your confirmation number.

What if I never received the original check in the first place?

If the check was lost in the mail before it reached you, the process is the same: call the IRS, report it missing, and request a replacement. The IRS will stop payment on the original and issue a new one. File a police report anyway, as it creates a record in case the check is found and cashed later.

Can the thief cash the check if I report it stolen?

Once you report the check stolen to the IRS, they place a stop payment on it. If someone tries to cash it at a bank, the bank's system will show that payment has been stopped and the check will be rejected. However, if the thief cashes it before you report it, the bank may honor it. This is why reporting immediately matters.

Do I have to pay the IRS back if the thief cashed my check?

No. The IRS issued the check to you, and if someone else cashed it through fraud, that is a crime. The IRS will issue you a replacement check. If the bank later recovers the money from the thief's account, the IRS may ask you to return the replacement or apply it to a future tax bill, but you will not owe money out of pocket.

What if the police won't file a report?

Some police departments are reluctant to file reports for mail theft or lost checks, especially if the amount is small. If this happens, ask to speak to a supervisor and explain that you need the report for the IRS. If the police still refuse, send a written complaint to your police department's non-emergency line and keep a copy. The IRS can still issue a replacement check based on your phone report alone, though having a police report strengthens your case if the check was actually cashed.