Facebook members targeted by ID thieves

[Ben]

Hi everyone

I thought I'd share this article with you.

Case of stolen online identity

Social networking sites are fertile ground for cyber-thieves seeking personal information, writes Conrad Walters.

While Tony Barrell was overseas earlier this year, a message sent to his Facebook friends told a sorry tale.

"I'm stranded in London because i got robbed at a park in Kentish town, it was a brutal experience, all cash i had on me were stolen and my credit card was collected too now i'm left with no money here. I need help out of here.

"I have been reaching out to friends for help, i need some money so i can get a flight ticket back home so please can you loan me some money till i get back home? i will pay you back as soon as i'm home. Please"

Fortunately, friends and family ignored his pitiful claims of destitution.

Why? Because Barrell wasn't in London, he was in Tokyo. His daughter was among those who received the fake appeal and alerted him. The Balmain resident tried to log in to his Facebook account to see what was happening but couldn't.

The rest is here: http://www.theage.com.au/news/home/tech ... 16527.html