Did you get a NEW debit card this year when you filed? If so the "random" number on your tax return is the temporary account set up at the processing bank to receive your refund before sending it to the debit card. If so it can take 3 business days for the money to go thru the processing bank then onto the debit card.
It went to the wrong bank account
The IRS used direct deposit info it had on file from your 2020 (and, if that hadn’t been filed or processed yet, your 2019) tax return and the stimulus checks to determine where to send your child tax credit payment. If you’ve changed banks since then, your money may have gone to the wrong account.
With the stimulus checks, if the IRS tried to send a deposit to a closed account, the bank rejected it and returned the money. The IRS then defaulted to mailing a paper check. This will likely happen with child tax credit payments sent to closed accounts, as well.
You can update your bank account information in the Child Tax Credit Update Portal. Do so by Aug. 2 to have it take effect for the Aug. 13 payment.
