What a real IRS refund check looks like
A genuine IRS refund check comes from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, not from the IRS itself. The check will say "Department of the Treasury" across the top, and it will be printed on official government security paper with a blue tint and a watermark. The routing number and account number appear in the bottom left corner in magnetic ink. The check number is in the bottom right.
The memo line will say "Tax Refund" or "U.S. Individual Income Tax Return." Your name and address appear in the upper left. The amount is printed both as numerals and spelled out in words. If these two amounts do not match, the check is fraudulent — the spelled-out amount is what a bank will honor.
The back of a real Treasury check has specific text printed in the upper left corner that says "Endorse and deposit this check as instructed by the IRS." Below that are routing instructions for banks. If the back is blank or has different language, the check is not real.
Key Takeaways
- Real IRS refund checks are issued by the Department of the Treasury, printed on blue-tinted security paper with a watermark, and have "Tax Refund" printed on the memo line.
- The check number appears in the bottom right, and the routing and account numbers appear in the bottom left in magnetic ink that looks slightly raised or embossed.
- The back of a real check has specific endorsement language printed in the upper left corner; a blank back or different wording is a red flag.
- Scammers often mail fake checks that look close to real ones but lack security features, so comparing your check to images on IRS.gov is the fastest way to verify.
- If you are unsure, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or contact your bank before depositing; banks can verify Treasury checks before they clear.
Security features that are hard to fake
The blue tint of the paper itself is a security feature. Real Treasury checks use a specific shade of blue that is difficult to reproduce on a home printer or even a commercial copier. If the check looks pure white or has a different color tint, it is not real.
The watermark is embedded in the paper during manufacturing. Hold the check up to light and look for a faint image that says "The United States of America" or similar text. This watermark will appear in the same spot on every real check and cannot be added after the paper is printed.
The magnetic ink at the bottom of the check has a slightly raised or embossed feel if you run your finger over it. This is the MICR line — Magnetic Ink Character Recognition — and it is used by sorting machines at banks. Printed ink lies flat; magnetic ink has texture. If the bottom numbers feel completely smooth, the check is fake.
Common signs a check is counterfeit
Spelling errors or typos on the check are an immediate red flag. The IRS does not mail checks with misspelled words or grammatical mistakes. Check your name, address, and the memo line carefully.
Mismatched amounts — where the number and the spelled-out words do not agree — mean the check is fake. A real check will always have these two amounts match exactly.
Missing or incorrect routing information on the back is a strong indicator of fraud. If the back is blank, has a different bank's routing number, or has text that does not match what appears on real Treasury checks, do not deposit it.
Checks that arrive unsolicited or that you did not expect are suspicious. If you did not file a tax return, did not receive a notice of refund from the IRS, or the amount seems random, verify the check before depositing. Scammers sometimes mail fake refund checks to people who have no reason to expect one.
How to verify a check before you deposit it
Visit IRS.gov and search for "refund check images" or "what does a real refund check look like." The IRS publishes high-resolution photos of genuine checks so you can compare yours side by side. Look at the color, the layout, the memo line, and the back endorsement language.
Call your bank before depositing. Give them the check number, the amount, and the date. Banks have access to Treasury check databases and can tell you within minutes whether the check is real. This step takes five minutes and can save you from depositing a fake check that will bounce days or weeks later.
Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 if you want to confirm that a refund was issued to you. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the amount of the expected refund ready. The IRS can tell you the date the check was mailed and the amount. If the check in your hand does not match what the IRS says, it is fake.
Do not deposit the check and then ask questions. Once you deposit a fake check, you become responsible for the amount if it bounces. Your bank may charge you a fee, and you may face overdraft charges if the fake check causes your account to go negative.
What to do if you receive a fake check
Do not deposit it. Do not try to cash it. Do not send it back to the IRS — the IRS does not ask you to return checks.
Report the fake check to the IRS by calling 1-800-829-1040 or by visiting IRS.gov and searching for "report fraud." You can also file a report with the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at tigta.gov. Include the check number, the amount, the date you received it, and the postmark date if visible.
Report the fake check to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service if it arrived by mail. You can file a report at postalinspectors.uspis.gov. Mail fraud is a federal crime, and the postal service investigates these cases.
Keep the fake check and the envelope it came in. Do not handle it more than necessary, as law enforcement may want to examine it for fingerprints or other evidence. Store it in a safe place until you have reported it.
Why scammers send fake refund checks
Scammers mail fake checks hoping you will deposit them and then wire money back or send gift cards as a "verification fee" or "tax payment." Once you send money out of your account, it is gone. The fake check bounces days later, and you are responsible for the full amount.
Some scammers use fake checks as part of a larger identity theft scheme. They send you a check with your name on it to see if you will cash it, which tells them your account is active and monitored. They then use your personal information to open accounts or file fraudulent tax returns in your name.
Others send fake checks to people who have recently filed tax returns, hoping they will assume the check is their refund and deposit it without checking. The timing makes the scam more believable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit a check and verify it later?
Technically yes, but it is risky. Banks typically make funds available within one to three business days, but the check can bounce weeks later. If it bounces, you are responsible for the full amount, plus overdraft fees if your account goes negative. Verify before you deposit.
What if the check has my correct name and address but I did not file a return?
Do not deposit it. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and ask whether a refund was issued in your name. If the IRS has no record of a refund to you, the check is fake. This is a common scam targeting people who do not file returns.
Does the IRS ever mail checks from a bank account instead of the Treasury?
No. All IRS refund checks are issued by the Department of the Treasury. If a check says it is from a bank, a tax preparation company, or any other entity, it is not a real IRS refund check.
What if I already deposited a fake check?
Contact your bank immediately and tell them the check is fraudulent. Ask them to reverse the deposit and remove any fees they charged. Then report the fake check to the IRS and the Postal Inspection Service. Do not send money to anyone who contacts you about the fake check.
How long does it take for a fake check to bounce?
It varies. Some fake checks bounce within one to three business days. Others take one to two weeks. Banks are required to make funds available quickly, but they verify checks later. Do not assume a check is real just because the money appeared in your account.