Spring Hill, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/09/2012 -- The online community is all abuzz on Sunday after an explosive report has accused Facebook of snooping in smartphone users' text messages.

Though Facebook admitted to reading SMS of users who have downloaded their app, they said they are only doing so as part of a limited testing phase prior to launching their own messaging service and not to deliberately expose users to fraud.

The Facebook app running on Android is authorized to process, read, receive and write SMS, something they have declared in their terms beginning from the 1.7 version. Facebook said this is in anticipation of new features that will integrate Facebook tools with user texts. Now, if Facebook eventually introduces a feature that will be applicable to those permissions, they are ensuring the users even now that it will be accompanied by proper educational and guiding materials.

Facebook retorted that users should be aware that it said it might access their messages, contained under "Permissions" — that long article you are expected to have read before downloading/using the app. Unfortunately, 70% of smartphone users do not seem to have the time for reading the terms and conditions attached to an app.

Other popular companies that are using smartphones to access data and other personal details of users include Yahoo Messenger, Badoo, Google and Flickr.

Several companies can reportedly control smartphone features remotely, which includes taking images and video using the camera, as in the case of YouTube. Also, details like contacts list, location and browser history are accessed and can be passed on to third-parties like advertisers.

According to a statement issued by Facebook, it does not read user text messages and described the Sunday Times report as 'completely wrong' on their terminology and the impression they have made. But Facebook gave an explanation anyway: "…we have done some testing of products that need the SMS part of the phone to talk to our app."

Privacy concerns on smartphones have steadily increased in the past weeks as it was found out that a popular Android and iOS app, Path, is discovered to be collecting user contact details without permission — a move that can make users vulnerable to fraud. Other smaller companies that produce apps are capable of intercepting user calls like Tennis Juggling Game and My Remote Lock, which is supposed to be a security app to boot.

Just this month, Twitter has admitted that it has they have copied entire address books of their users from mobile phones. They have stored the data on their servers for 18 months without the users realizing it.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Spring Hill, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/06/2012 -- Officials warn residents to be alert, check things out before donating

By Ashley Rittenhouse – The Marietta Times (arittenhouse@mariettatimes.com), The Marietta Times

Law enforcement officials are reminding residents to find out whether solicitations for monetary donations are legitimate or not before giving, as this is a popular time of year for scammers to spring into action.

Employees at Marietta Home Health Services and Hospice were notified that scammers called two residents just last week.

"They're saying they're from Marietta Hospice and asking if they'd like to donate money on their loved one's behalf," said Taylor Daugherty, volunteer coordinator for the agency. "We do not do that."

Hospice provides in-home or homelike care for patients diagnosed with terminal illness.

Daugherty said those who received the calls are family members of people who passed away recently but received hospice care before their death.

"We think whoever did it checked out the obituaries," she said.

Daugherty noted that in some cases, those who receive hospice care decide to include in their obituary a note that all donations can be made to the agency and the scammers probably spotted this.

She said fortunately, the residents had a feeling something wasn't right and they did not agree to donate any money. The incidents have been reported to the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff Larry Mincks said residents need to be cautious when it comes to donating money for any cause.

"If you receive a phone call, check with the agency that is soliciting to see if they even make phone calls," he said. "There are a number of good organizations out there that are in need of money this time of year…but be careful who you're sending it to."

Mincks noted that his office receives information on a regular basis about scams that have taken place both over the phone and through the Internet.

"It's not an unusual occurrence," he said.

Daugherty added that the agency does accept donations on an ongoing basis and they can be dropped off or mailed to 210 N. Seventh St., Suite 400, Marietta, Ohio 45750.

"We use those funds for a patient who needs resources that can't be covered through hospice, for example, if there's a blizzard and they can't afford that month's bill on the heat," she said. "It's part of keeping the patient comfortable."

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm