Ya, that is definitely a bit extreme. Have yet to experience FB asking for a phone number but will keep in mind not to give it to them!

@Atlanta Homes - I guess they are trying to use any and every avenue to get them...does sound crazy

Funny, I have yet to experience any sort of scamming/phishing/anything through Facebook, and they've had my cell number on record since I got their iPhone app ages ago.

Nobody who isn't already my friend can view any of my personal information, and nobody can view my mobile number on my personal FB page. Regardless, it's not like my contact info is some deeply hidden secret: my cell phone number is on my website, my FB business page, and who knows how many other websites. I mean, the point is for people to be able to reach me, right?

As far as lenders/creditors using Facebook to find deadbeats and assess applicants, that's nothing new. I've used Facebook, Myspace, and various other social media websites (past and present) to screen people potential employees and clients for years. Frankly, I find it astonishing that this is just now becoming news to people.

Facebook itself is quite safe, regardless of the hype in the media, who often don't understand the technical details of how the internet itself works. However, Facebook is the target of tons of phishing emails, so anything that asks you for personal data from Facebook should immediately be suspect.

Like anything else, it all boils down to common sense.

A new Firefox extension lets anyone sharing an open wireless network at your neighborhood café or workplace easily access your Facebook, Twitter and myriad other online accounts. It's a terrifying tool designed to highlight a longstanding problem.

"HOLY CRAP" sums up the general Twitter reaction, as compiled by TechCrunch.

http://gawker.com/5672877/

Thanks for pointing this out. It is probably some phishing scheme like perky said. I have heard of them before.

iahve never received calls from fb. what you said sounds strenge to me. looks like a phishing scam