Sounds like he has been fortunate for several years that the bank did not send the deposits back. Most banks will refuse a deposit if the deposit is not in the name of the account holder. He will have to wait for the IRS to issue a paper check and mail the check to the address on his tax return. There will be a delay of several weeks. Open all mail, even if it looks like junk mail. Make sure he used the correct mailing address on his Form 1040.
Going forward----he should get his own account for direct deposits
DEPOSIT TO SOMEONE ELSE’S ACCOUNT
https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-refund/deposit-tax-refund-someone-el...
**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**