Facebook closes today ... NOT!

Credulous Facebook users are propagating a scam that claims that social network site is shutting up shop.

The message behind the scam improbably claims that Facebook was having trouble managing old inactive accounts, so it has decided to delete everything, unless users "confirm" their activity. "Your account will be permanently disabled if you don't take this step," the notice falsely warns.

Would-be marks are invited to install a rogue application that directs victims towards a survey scam. Victims are encouraged to fill out a worthless survey that earns cybercrooks a commission from unscrupulous marketing outfits.

An attempt may also be made to get users to hand over their mobile number in a bid to sign them up to worthless and expensive text updates, if past form is anything to go by.

Meanwhile, in the background, the rogue app post messages on a victim's wall, further spreading the scam message behind the con, explained in greater depth in a blog post by Sophos here. ®