Scam Signature Message: Official Announcement – Account verification – All accounts will shut down starting today. If you want your account alive, please verify it.

Scam Type: Survey Scam – Rogue Application

Trending: January 2011

Why it’s a Scam:

Once you click on the Wall Post link, you are taken to the following page and asked to install the “Closing Accounts – Official Announcement” Facebook application:

If you do agree to install the application, you must agree to give the application developer full access to your basic information, post to your wall and access your data at any time. Granting them this access allows the scammer to spam their message on your News Feed. 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, you are taken to the following screen:

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:

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