04/28/2026
🚨 IRS Scam Alert – Fake Refund Letters Circulating 🚨
The Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about fraudulent IRS letters claiming that your tax refund could not be direct‑deposited.
Scammers are sending letters that look official, using IRS logos, notice numbers, and language about “updating your bank account information.” These letters may instruct you to scan a QR code, visit a fake website, or provide new banking details.
These letters are NOT from the IRS.
- Their goal is to steal your personal and financial information.
- Do NOT scan QR codes or visit websites listed in suspicious letters.
- Do NOT provide bank account information in response to unsolicited mail, calls, or emails.
Log in directly at IRS.gov if you need to check your refund status—never through a link provided to you. https://www.irs.gov/
- Log in to your secure IRS Online Account to see if the letter or notice is in your file
- Contact IRS customer service directly to authenticate it
- Verify that any collection notice from a private collection agency has the same Taxpayer Authentication Number as the Notice CP40 the taxpayer received from the IRS.
- The IRS will not contact you through social media or email
If something feels off, it probably is.
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/ways-to-tell-if-the-irs-is-reaching-out-or-if-its-a-scammer
