PVA: Defined

• PVA stands for "Phone Verified Account." This term -- and the abbreviation derived from it -- was not coined by Facebook. Companies that create and sell these accounts use the abbreviation on their websites. A search of Facebook's Help Center will find no direct references to a PVA or a Phone Verified Account; instead, it uses more generic language such as "verify your cell phone."
  
  

Who Needs A PVA

• Facebook only requires one group of users to have an account verified by phone: developers. These are individuals or companies who build applications using the Facebook Platform. These developers -- which Facebook also calls programmers -- are not allowed to write any applications for the social networking site until they verify their account.
  
  Facebook does not require individual users to verify their accounts, although the website does recommend doing so for security reasons. Users who link their personal accounts to their phones are also eligible for "Facebook Mobile," a tool which allows users to receive friend request notifications on your phone, as well as wall posting and status update information.
  
  

How A PVA Works

• When you register for a Facebook account as a developer or programmer, you'll be asked to verify your account in one of two ways: by phone or by credit card. To register by phone, enter the number and country code -- which is the number one in the United States -- in the text box on the "Confirm Your Phone" page (see Resource section). Facebook will send a confirmation number via text to the number provided; you'll need to enter this confirmation number on the website in order to complete the verification process.
  
  

Security Concerns

• Facebook only allows a phone number to be used to verify one account, meaning the same number cannot be used multiple times to create multiple accounts. Facebook does this so that if your account is ever blocked, hacked or you forget your password, Facebook can reach you -- and only you -- using the number used to verify your account. To circumvent this, many hackers and spammers have started using alternative methods to obtain numerous phone verified accounts, including hacking into and stealing PVAs from registered users. Facebook is aware of this issue, and has a form on its website (see Resource section) for users who are having problems verifying their account.