Just curious. Is this a joint account by any chance?
The following is anecdotal, but another user said he phoned the IRS who told him they mailed a check because even if both spouses were on the bank account, the primary name on the bank account did not match the primary taxpayer's name on the return. i.e., even though the names were on the account but reversed on the return they wouldn't deposit it--at least in his case. I don't know if that was the bank's decision or the IRS's decision.
Here's that thread:
By the way, you didn't say "who" is mailing the check? You only said "they claim", but we don't know who the "they" are. There are a couple of possibilities.
Does the IRS website say it mailed a check to you?
https://www.irs.gov/wheres-my-refund
Or did you choose to pay any fees out of your Federal refund, and it's the third-party processor (SBTPG) that's mailing a check due to a rejected direct deposit?
The state mailed the check. The IRS did the auto deposit right away.
@Patches756 wrote:The state mailed the check. The IRS did the auto deposit right away.
Oh, that's a whole different ballgame. You'd have to talk to someone at your state tax agency to see why they didn't follow your instructions for direct deposit.
FAQ: How do I contact my state department of revenue?