Scam: Switch to Black Red Pink Facebook (Limited Time!)

The most successful Facebook scams always involve the social network itself. This time around, scammers have managed to convince users they can change the color of the social network's design from blue to black, red, or pink, depending on the variant of the scam.

Users are told something like "Switch to Black Facebook (Limited Time!)," "Switch to Red Facebook (Limited Time!)," or "Switch to Pink Facebook (Limited Time!)," followed by a link. The description is then something along the lines of "Say goodbye to the boring blue profile and say hello to the black profile!!" or "Say goodbye to the boring blue profile and say hello to the red profile!!" or "Say goodbye to the boring blue profile and say hello to the pink profile!!"

It's worth noting that it is possible to change the way your Facebook looks: colors, design, and so on. These tweaks are usually performed by browser plugins or GreaseMonkey scripts, meaning they will only work on the computer you install them on. They also don't require you to jump through hoops to get them working.

If you follow the accompanying link, you are told that you must take multiple steps to receive your differently colored Facebook, according to Sophos. Firstly, you are told to share the link with your Facebook friends. Secondly, you are asked to leave a comment to promote your new Facebook color, which you don't have and will never get. Thirdly, you are asked to take a survey.

The scammers' goal is to drive more traffic towards certain sites. This is how the scammer earns his or her money: a commission for every survey completed, every product purchased, and/or every account compromised. They also use them to spread malware and obtain personal information.

As a general word of caution, don't click on everything your Facebook friends share on the social network. If you see a scam like this one, report it. Then go check your own Wall to make sure you're not spreading the scam; the sooner you clean it up and Unlike any relevant Pages, the better. You can also contact Facebook Security if you'd like to.

See also:

• Facebook virus or account hacked? Here's how to fix it.
• Facebook releases official Guide to Facebook Security
• Experts: Facebook crime is on the rise
• Sex sells: Men fall for Facebook scams more than women
• Researchers invade Facebook with socialbots, grab 250GB of data
• Facebook Immune System checks 25 billion actions every day