How to report and block a rogue application in Facebook

Okay, I get this question a lot, so this ought to be of some help.  Here's the situation:

You see a request from something you know is NOT a normal game application (a/k/a a SCAM!), either in the game feed:

Scam Application request from the game feed.

...or in your game requests:

Scam Application request showing up as a gift request.

The first step is always the same - click on the NAME of the application (red arrows in both photos).

This will take you to a request for permission page:

Request for Permission Screen

This is the place most people get in trouble.  If you're playing a game, like FarmVille, that you've been playing for a long time, and you get a page like this...there's something wrong.  Once you authorize a game, it should NEVER ask you for permission again unless you've removed the application.

Never click on 'allow' unless you're sure you want to allow this application to do everything listed.  In the case of scams, you never, ever want to allow it to do anything.  Ever.  Seriously.  Instead, click on the name of the app (red arrow), which will take you to the Application's page on Facebook:

Application Screen

Here's the good stuff.  This application page shows the knuckleheads who developed the application (likely hacked or disposable accounts, but you can click on them to report them as fake profiles if you like - it ALL helps get Facebook's attention!).  It shows a list of your friends who like or use the application (use this as an opportunity to remove them - I do!), and it gives you a link to block the application (red arrow) and to report the application (green arrow).

If you want to report it, click on the 'Report Application' link and fill in the information on the page that appears.  This helps alert Facebook that there's a scam application they need to remove.  The more people who report it, the more likely it'll get their attention and they will remove it.

To block the application, just click on the 'Block Application' link (red arrow) and confirm your choice.  It won't show up in your requests or in your game feed anymore.

Note:  once you block the application, you won't be able to report it or have any other interaction with it.  If you plan to report it to Facebook, you have to report it FIRST and then go back and block it.

Now that you know HOW....go report some of these goofballs and help us clean up Facebook!

Final thought:  One of the VERY best ways to avoid scams and trojans is to choose the applications you authorize VERY judiciously.  It's okay to be picky about which apps you use - yes, they may be cute, but they are also BAIT and you're taking it willingly.

Do you REALLY need to 'Find out what your name means' or 'Send a Merry Christmas Pigeon' or determine 'How Sexy are your toes?'?!?  Use some sense, people!

Some of these seemingly innocent apps may WORK, but they also HARVEST your information to use later - they are the BAIT for a bigger scam down the road using YOUR data!

Oh, and just FYI?  Your name means 'gullible for scams', nobody but the crazy old lady in CityVille cares about pigeons, and your toes aren't all that.  There.  Saved you time and trouble!