Does the EPO check whether refund instructions are still valid when a refund is to be effected?

Yes. Therefore, to ensure that refunds can be processed smoothly, please verify that your refund instructions are clear and up to date, e.g. in the case of a change of representative or a transfer of rights. You can do that with EPO Form 1038E. If the EPO notices that refund instructions are outdated, it will ex officio delete any instructions relating to refunds to a deposit account held by a party that has withdrawn from the proceedings. The EPO will also ex officio delete any instructions relating to refunds to a deposit account held by a third party if they were given by a party that has withdrawn from the proceedings.