Fake tax forms used to steal identities

WASHINGTON -- Fake bank correspondence and tax forms are being used across the country in a scam to steal people's identities and bank accounts, the IRS warns.

In most cases, people receive a letter claiming to be from their bank stating that it is updating records. Included with the letter is a phony Internal Revenue Service form, which the person is urged to fax to a number within a week or certain tax benefits could be lost.

The scam uses several forms similar to real IRS forms but have been altered to seek key personal information. The real forms can be viewed on the IRS Internet site -- www.irs.gov -- and copies of some fake ones can be seen at a Treasury Department site -- www.occ.treas.gov.