Scam Signature Message: “HA I just saw a wicked headbutt on Jeremy Kyle. Run Kyle Run.” & “Jeremy Kyle runs for cover after man starts Head Butting”
Scam Type: Like Jacking – Survey Scam – Rogue Application – Premium Services
Trending: December 2010
Why it’s a Scam:
Once you click on the Wall Post link, you are taken to the following page:
When you click to play the video, you are asked to install the following application:
Agreeing to install the application gives 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:
This is another survey scam circulating heavily on Facebook. Do not install Facebook applications or complete surveys to view shocking, disturbing or sensational content. It is most always a lure of clever survey scammers. Every time a survey is completed, a scammer gets paid. Don’t help them and possibly hurt your friends by spreading rogue applications like this. When completing the surveys for this scam, you are asked for your email address, age and cell phone number. This gives the scammers more of your information that they can use to do you harm and steal your identity. A common ploy is to charge your cell phone number for premium services until the charges are cancelled. It is also common for downloads to contain viruses, trojans and other malware. Never give out your personal information for scams, and never download anything from apps like this.
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 (click the “x” in the top right hand corner of the post).You also need to access your privacy settings and remove the application from your list of approved Facebook applications. (Account/ Privacy Settings/ Applications and Websites.)
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 be kept informed of the latest security issues. Also check out:
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