"Phishing" attempts to get you to disclose personal information via email or telephone. "Smishing" refers to deceptive text messages, and "Vishing" refers to deceptive voicemails. Your BBB® is receiving a dramatic increase of calls concerning the use of Social Media to trick us in to providing personal information, a phenomenon known as "Farcing."

The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) has conducted a study (PDF) to measure interaction trends between internet users and Facebook.  It was conducted in order to better help victims with Facebook-related identity theft concerns and issues.  What they learned is (a) aggressive identity thieves are now using social media sites to trick us. It's much easier and more lucrative and (b) it is more important than ever to question any friend request from someone you do not know.

Most often, friend requests come from a friend-of-a-friend.

Assuming that person is who they say they are, without confirming it, is dangerous, says Arun Vishwanath, associate professor of communication at the University of Buffalo.

“Farcing takes place on popular social media platforms and has been used for online bullying, identity theft, organizational espionage, child pornography and even burglary,” said Vishwanath.

Not only could you be a victim to “farcing,” but you could also be exposing your family and friends as well.

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