Scam Signature Message: See Your First Status: http://adf.ly/EIJy

Scam Type: Survey Scam – Rogue Application

Trending: December 2010

Why it’s a Scam:

Once you click on the Wall Post link, you are immediately taken to the Facebook application installation screen:

Here, you are asked to install the “MobileWeb” Facebook application. If you agree to the install, you must agree to give the application developer full access to your basic information and the right to email you, post to your wall, access your data at any time and the right to manage your pages. You should never give a third party application this much access unless you are 100% sure of their intentions and authenticity. If you do proceed with the application install, your account is like-jacked and you are spreading the scammer’s message to all of your friends. You will then be taken to the following screen:

The surveys here often require you to download a game to proceed. These downloads often contain viruses or other malware that can infect your system. Don’t download anything or give them more of your personal information. In the end, you won’t see your First Status, but the scammers will have gained another victim.

How to Deal with the Scam:

If you did make the mistake of installing the application and passing the link onto your friends, you should clean-up your newsfeed and profile to remove references to the application. You also need to access your privacy settings and remove the application.

If you made the mistake of submitting your cell phone number for any of the surveys, then you should contact your carrier immediately to keep any bogus charging from appearing.

If you or your Facebook friends are falling for tricks like this, it’s time to get yourself informed of the latest threats. Be sure to join the Facecrooks page on Facebook to stay informed of the latest security issues. Also check out:

Your Ultimate Guide to Facebook Scams and How to Deal with Them