If you use Facebook or MySpace, READ THIS!

[Scout]

A massive scam has recently began circulating via social networking websites Facebook and MySpace. If you receive a message in your inbox claiming to be from a Facebook or MySpace customer support representative, do NOT respond! Block the user and report them for abuse IMMEDIATELY!!!



The message usually looks like this:

Hello there, [your name here]. I am Jane Thomas, a customer care employee of Facebook, Inc (or MySpace, Inc.). After recently investigating your account, we have determined that you are engaging in inappropriate activities. This is a violation of our terms of service. I must regretfully inform you that as of October 15, 2010, we have changed the way we take action against this type of abuse. All users engaging in activities we deem to be inappropriate, abusive, fraudulent, or otherwise not in compliance with our guidelines will be subject to a fine. This fine varies greatly, depending on the severity of the abuse. If this fine is not paid, in full, by the deadline listed below, your account will be permanently disabled.



Your level of abuse: 9 (on a scale of 1-10, 10 being extreme, 1 being minor)

Your fine (in US dollars): $45.00

Your deadline: October 29, 2010



Please submit your VISA or MASTERCARD number, as well as the information on file with your bank (name, address, etc.) to [email protected].



Please note: Legal action may be taken should you fail to pay the fine. If you are under the age of 18, your parent(s) and/or legal guardian(s) may be held accountable for your actions in the court of law.

Other variances of the scam have also been reported. Some people have claimed they are receiving messages supposedly coming from different people and for different reasons. These are:

• Information for a supposed Salmonella and/or E. Coli outbreak that requires an upfront payment of $19.99 to be released.
  
• Scares that the user's Facebook or MySpace account is being stolen by hackers and that the password to the account must be provided in order to protect it.
  
• Messages informing the user that he/she has won $5 million in cash and a 10 day vacation to the Bahamas. A link is posted which supposedly sends the user to a page where they can claim their winnings, but actually leads them to a website that attempts to infect the computer with a keylogger.
  
• False scares that one of the people on the user's friends list has recently been convicted of a drug/sex crime and that the user must pay $10.99 to see who it is and how long they will be in prison. I spoke with a friend who fell for this one and who was shocked to learn that her cousin, only 13, is awaiting trial for heroin possession and engaging in violent rape. Of course, this was fake.
  

I am not aware of exactly how many people have been getting these, but I am fairly certain that the damage is already widespread on popular social networks.

 

[Nebulous]

I'd probably delete something like that and not pay it any attention.

 

[beowulf]

anyone stupid enough to fall for that deserves it

 

[The Dragon Master]

[snort] I would have just ignored it XD

 

[MrMetroid]

Yeah I'd say it's painfully obvious that it's fake

 

[Blake]

Wooow! People these days!

 

[Payton]

anyone stupid enough to fall for that deserves it

This verily.