You've been served - on Facebook?

The popular social-networking site Facebook has blossomed into a gathering place for professionals, teenagers and a place where old friends can reunite to catch up on all of life's changes. But apparently "friends" may not be the only ones tracking you down.

An Australian court recently ruled that the site could be used by a lender to serve "virtual" papers to a couple, notifying them that their house would be repossessed for failing to keep up with their mortgage payments.

It's just the latest example of how lenders, colleges and employers are all becoming hip to the social-networking scene and how keeping your profile online for the world to see could actually hurt you in the long run.

There have been several cases of posts on social-networking sites backfiring on individuals -- from students being denied college enrollment or degrees, job seekers missing out on their dream job and even a college football player being kicked off the team -- all because of an inappropriate comment or photo on their profiles.

So before you add your profile, post a message on your friend's wall or update your photo album, you may want to consider how it will reflect on you or just who may find it online.