The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has released a warning to Facebook users due to several cases of identity theft that occurred on the popular social networking site.

"Sites like Facebook are extremely popular because they allow us to connect and reconnect with people we know and trust," said president and CEO of the BBB of Chicago and Northern Illinois, Steve J.Bernas. "Scammers know that they can take advantage of that trust by masquerading themselves as friends, family members and coworkers in order to easily disseminate viruses or steal personal information such as bank or credit card numbers."

One woman who became such a victim received a greeting on Facebook from a friend, who also happened to be a dietitian. However, when she clicked a link, it led her to a website that ended up quickly charging her $139.86.

The BBB urges that Facebook users be very wary of any messages they receive from friends, particularly those that have a hyperlink that direct you to a different site. Additionally, they should always be selective when choosing friends with whom to share their profile.

Identity theft is a large problem in the United States. According to the FTC, approximately 9 million cases of the crime occur each year.