This week, two clients received small unexpected checks from the IRS.  Both were labeled as 'tax refund'.  Both clients had overpayments and requested zero refunds with small amounts applied ahead to 2020.  The amounts refunded did not correlate to the amounts applied to 2020 so we're baffled.

Letters of explanation have not arrived from the IRS and the taxpayers can't get through over the phone.  Status of the returns per the IRS website says "still processing your return".

The checks look legit but it could be a scam.  Has this happened to anyone else recently?  Any advice besides not depositing the checks yet?