Check the envelope and paper for official IRS markings
A real IRS refund check comes in an envelope with the Treasury Department seal and the words "Department of the Treasury" printed on it. The check itself has "United States of America" and "Department of the Treasury" at the top, along with the IRS logo. The paper is standard check stock, not flimsy or oddly colored.
Scammers sometimes mail fake checks that look close enough to fool you at first glance. Real IRS checks have a consistent layout: your name and address on the front, the refund amount in two places (written out and as a number), and a routing number, account number, and check number at the bottom in magnetic ink. If any of these elements look off, smudged, or printed unevenly, the check may not be real.
The check number and routing number should match what the IRS told you to expect. You can find this information in your IRS account online at irs.gov under "Where's My Refund?" — the tool shows the check number and mailing date if your refund was sent by mail.
Verify the check amount matches your tax return
Before you deposit or cash the check, compare the amount to what you calculated on your tax return. The IRS refund amount should be exactly what you expected, minus any offsets for unpaid child support, student loans, or other federal debts. If the amount is higher or lower than your return showed, contact the IRS before depositing it.
A common scam is a check for more than you claimed — scammers send an overpayment and then ask you to wire the difference back. Do not cash a check that is larger than your refund. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to confirm the amount is correct.
Check the mailing date against your IRS tracking information
The IRS mails refund checks on a schedule. You can see the exact mailing date in your "Where's My Refund?" account at irs.gov. The envelope should have a postmark date that matches or is close to the date the IRS said it would mail the check.
If you received a check weeks or months after the IRS said it was mailed, or if you never saw a mailing date in your account, the check may be counterfeit. Legitimate IRS checks arrive within two to three weeks of the mailing date shown in your account. If the postmark date is much earlier than expected, the check may have been lost in the mail and reissued — call the IRS to confirm.
Look up the check number in your IRS account
Log into your IRS account at irs.gov and go to "Where's My Refund?" Enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount. The tool will show you the check number if your refund was mailed. Compare this number to the check number printed at the bottom of your check.
If the check number does not match what the IRS shows, do not deposit it. If the IRS account shows no mailing date or check number at all, the check in your hand is not from the IRS. Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to report it and find out where your real refund is.
Watch for common red flags in the mail or the check itself
Scammers sometimes include a letter asking you to call a phone number or visit a website to "confirm" your refund or claim a bonus. The IRS does not send letters asking you to take action to receive a check you already have. If the envelope includes a letter with instructions, contact the IRS directly using the number on their official website — do not call the number in the letter.
Other red flags include a check with a different name than what appears on your tax return, a check mailed to an address you did not provide to the IRS, or a check with a bank routing number that does not match any real bank. You can look up a routing number at fedwire.frb.org to see if it belongs to a real financial institution.
If someone other than you received the check in the mail, or if you never filed a tax return but received a check, report it to the IRS immediately at 1-800-829-1040 or through their online form at irs.gov/identity-theft.
What to do if you think the check is fake
Do not deposit or cash a check you believe is counterfeit. Instead, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and tell them the check number, amount, and mailing date. Have the check in front of you when you call. The IRS can tell you whether that check number matches a real refund they issued to you.
If the check is fake, the IRS will reissue your real refund by mail or direct deposit, depending on what you chose when you filed. This process usually takes two to four weeks. If you need your refund sooner, ask the IRS whether you can change your delivery method to direct deposit.
Report the fake check to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at postalinspectors.uspis.gov if it arrived in the mail. You can also report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Keep the fake check and envelope as evidence.
Key Takeaways
- Real IRS refund checks have the Treasury Department seal and logo, your correct name and address, and a check number that matches what appears in your IRS account.
- Compare the check amount to your tax return and the mailing date to your "Where's My Refund?" account before you deposit it.
- The IRS never sends letters asking you to take action to receive a check you already have, and they do not include phone numbers or websites to call.
- If you think the check is fake, do not cash it — call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to confirm whether the check number matches a real refund.
- Report fake checks to the Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Trade Commission, and keep the check as evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I already cashed a fake refund check?
Contact your bank immediately and tell them the check was counterfeit. Your bank may be able to reverse the deposit and protect your account. Then call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to report the fake check and request your real refund. If money left your account after you deposited the fake check, report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Can I deposit a refund check at any bank, or does it have to be my bank?
You can deposit a U.S. Treasury check at most banks and credit unions, even if you do not have an account there. Some banks may require you to have an account to deposit it. Call your bank first to ask whether they accept Treasury checks from non-customers.
How long does it take for a mailed refund check to clear after I deposit it?
Most banks clear Treasury checks within one to three business days. Some banks hold checks longer if the amount is large or if you are a new customer. Ask your bank how long they typically hold Treasury checks before the funds become available.
What if the check arrived torn or damaged?
You can still deposit a torn or damaged check if the amount and check number are still readable. If the check is too damaged to read, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and they will reissue it. Do not try to tape the check together — banks may refuse it.
Can someone else cash my refund check if they have it?
A refund check is made out to you by name, so technically only you can cash it. However, some banks will cash a check made out to someone else if that person signs it over to you on the back. Ask your bank about their policy before you try. If someone else cashed your check without your permission, report it to the IRS and your bank as fraud.