Trendiest iPhone App: Social Networking - But Beware of Latest Facebook Scam!


iPhone users are the most active social networkers of all the smart phone users, according to the quarterly Smartphone Intelligence survey released this week. Among the social networking apps, Facebook has won out as the iPhone app of choice. Approximately 71% of users use the app to access their account, and 37% list Facebook among their top three most used apps.

Even though iPhone is leading the way in apps -- iPhone users are more likely to spend money on their apps preferring those priced under $5, and 72% of iPhone users download 10 or more apps -- iPhone has ranked as the worst smartphone for mobile advertising click-through rates according to online advertising network Chitika.

No surprise really, apps rock and advertising bites, but the thing to stay aware of is practicing prudence with regard to online scams. Most recently a Missouri woman was tricked into wiring $4,000 to someone in England after receiving faked messages from a friend on Facebook asking for help.

Apparently someone took over the Facebook account of Grace Parry and changed the password so she couldn't access it. They then sent out messages saying she and her husband had been detained in London and needed money. Jayne Scherrman wired the money through Western Union after receiving what she believed were several requests for help from her friend. She was even called by a man with a British accent who pretended to be an immigration official! Police say it's unlikely she'll get her money back.

Facebook said Internet schemes like this one aren't uncommon. Facebook has systems to detect suspicious behavior tied to compromised accounts and blocks it when it possible, but the onus is on you. Remember to change your passwords often and be careful about posting personal information.
DBEYR,
Erin