Following yet another change at Facebook, a new version of an old hoax is spreading throughout the Internet warning users that the company will soon start charging money for their service.

Starting early last week, many of my Facebook friends and fans sent private messages and texts seeking advice on whether they should join the new subscription service or move their friends to Google +

So widespread was the rumor that the subject was topic of numerous conversations during Presidency 5 and CPAC in Orlando last week. Many politicians and political strategists were openly wondering whether they would now have to pay for someone to “Like” them.

In fact, several of my colleagues openly questioned this “new policy” while watching the Fox Presidential Debate and munching on Google candy in the media center of the Orange County Convention Center.

The rumor – which is spreading as a chain letter on Facebook – warns users that the world’s largest social network will soon start charging as a result of upcoming profile changes. Notwithstanding the Facebook disclaimer that “It’s free and always will be,” hundreds of thousands have fallen for this hoax.

The posts have been reported in numerous languages and in numerous countries:

“IT IS OFFICIAL. IT WAS EVEN ON THE NEWS. FACEBOOK WILL START CHARGING. DUE TO THE PROFILE CHANGES. IF YOU COPY THIS ON YOUR WALL YOUR ICON WILL TURN BLUE AND FACEBOOK WILL BE FREE FOR YOU. PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE ON, IF NOT YOUR ACCOUNT WILL BE DELETED IF YOU DO NOT PAY.”

Another post offering various levels of Facebook membership:

“FACEBOOK JUST RELEASED THEIR PRICE GRID FOR MEMBERSHIP. $9.99 PER MONTH FOR GOLD MEMBER SERVICES, $6.99 PER MONTH FOR SILVER MEMBER SERVICES $3.99 PER MONTH FOR BRONZE MEMBER SERVICES, FREE IF YOU COPY AND PASTE THIS MESSAGE BEFORE MIDNIGHT TONIGHT. WHEN YOU SIGN ON TOMORROW MORNING YOU WILL BE PROMPTED FOR PAYMENT INFO…IT IS OFFICIAL IT WAS EVEN ON THE NEWS. FACEBOOK WILL START CHARGING DUE TO THE NEW PROFILE CHANGES. IF YOU COPY THIS ON YOUR WALL YOUR ICON WILL TURN BLUE AND FACEBOOK WILL BE FREE FOR YOU. PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE ON IF NOT YOUR ACCOUNT WILL BE DELETED IF YOU DO NOT PAY.”