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Fake accounts have become a massive problem on social media websites like Facebook and Instagram , but thankfully, both platforms allow users to report impersonating accounts . From stealing profile pictures to getting fake followers, hackers and bad actors have become experts at impersonating others on social media platforms. Although users cannot always avoid encountering an impersonator, they can inform the respective platforms to take necessary action.

Users can report an impersonating account on Facebook via the platform's web and mobile versions. First, let's talk about the steps for reporting through Facebook's web version. Head to Facebook's website, sign in, and go to the fake profile or page. Then click on the three dots below the cover photo, and select ' Find support or report profile' to inform about a fake profile or ' Find support or report Page ' to report a Facebook Page . Next, follow the on-screen instructions to file a report for impersonation.

Related: How To Add A GIF To Your Instagram Comment

Report Imposters Using The Platforms' Apps

The steps to report an imposter via Facebook for Android and iOS are the same. On the Facebook app, open the fake profile, tap the three dots below the cover photo, select ' Find support or report profile, ' and provide any additional details that the app might ask. To report a page, open the impersonating page, tap the three dots below the cover photo, and select ' Find support or report page. ' On the following screen, tap on ' Scams and fake Pages ' and select the option that describes the page. Tap on ' Next ' and follow any on-screen instructions to report the page successfully.

Those who don't have a Facebook account can also report an imposter by filling out a form provided on the support page. Similarly, users can also report fake accounts on Instagram . Open the fake Instagram account via the mobile app, tap on the three dots in the top right corner of the screen, hit ' Report ,' and select ' Something about this account. ' Under ' What do you want to report about this account, ' press ' They are pretending to be someone else. '

If the fake account is pretending to be a public figure or business, Instagram asks for the original account of the person or company as well. Unlike Facebook, Instagram asks for a government-issued identity card to report impersonating accounts. Further, the platform only accepts reports " from the person who's being impersonated or a representative of the person who's being impersonated. " For instance, parents can report if someone is impersonating their children on Instagram .

More: How Instagram Broadcast Channels Work (And Should You Join Them?)

Source: Facebook , Instagram

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How to Report Identity Theft on Facebook

Last Updated: April 15, 2024 Tested

This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD . Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University of Oregon in 2013. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. The wikiHow Tech Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work. This article has been viewed 56,775 times.

If you have been a victim of identity theft through Facebook, you can report the incident. Facebook makes it easy to report hacking and fake profiles. They can delete fake profiles and restore control of your account to you. If you know who is impersonating you online, you can also report that person to the police.

Reporting a Profile With the "Report" Link

• There are different answer options for reporting a profile that is impersonating you, someone you know, or a celebrity.

Reporting an Imposter Account Without Your Own Account

• Scan or take a clear photograph of your ID and upload the image by clicking the "Choose Files" button.
• If you do not have a government-issued ID that meets these criteria, you can submit two non-governmental forms of identification. [5] X Research source For a list of acceptable forms of identification, visit https://www.facebook.com/help/159096464162185 .

Accessing a Hacked Account

Reporting Identity Theft to the Police

• Ask Facebook to freeze your account until the fraud has been resolved.
• Be sure you reset any passwords and usernames that may have been compromised.

• Call TransUnion at (800) 680-7289, Equifax at (800) 525-6285, or Experian at (888) 397-3742 and request a fraud alert on your credit report. This alerts the bureaus of possible identity theft and prevents anyone from opening new credit accounts in your name. This service is free of charge. [7] X Research source
• Call your bank and make sure there is no unusual activity on your accounts. Also, change your online banking login information in case the identity theft gained access through Facebook.

• If someone is pretending to be you online and hurting your reputation, it is likely that the perpetrator is someone you know, rather than an anonymous scam artist.
• Police typically do not treat identity theft the same way they treat traditional crimes. This is because perpetrators of identity theft work through the internet and are usually located across jurisdictional boundaries from their victims. For this reason, police are unlikely to pursue your case if you cannot identify a perpetrator who lives in their jurisdiction.

• Carefully document any activity that can harm your reputation or career. For example, a woman prosecuted for posing as her ex-boyfriend online posted comments stating that he had a sexually-transmitted disease and used drugs. [9] X Research source
• Also keep copies of any communications (emails, texts, or voicemails) from the perpetrator about the identity theft. If you have a message where the imposter admits to creating a fake profile, you can use it as evidence.

• When you contact the police, be sure you have already filled out an FTC Identity Theft Affidavit and have a copy of the FTC Memo to Law Enforcement. [10] X Trustworthy Source Federal Trade Commission Website with up-to-date information for consumers from the Federal Trade Commisson Go to source The Identity Theft Affidavit will give law enforcement information about your identity and in what ways you think it was compromised. The FTC Memo instructs law enforcement on how to handle identity theft cases in order to make sure you get the help you need.

Expert Q&A

• This article is intended as legal information and does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, contact a licensed attorney. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ https://www.facebook.com/help/181495968648557
• ↑ https://www.facebook.com/help/159096464162185
• ↑ https://www.facebook.com/help/263149623790594/?ref=u2u
• ↑ https://www.identitytheft.gov/
• ↑ https://www.findlaw.com/legalblogs/criminal-defense/fake-facebook-profile-is-id-theft-nj-judge/
• ↑ http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/articles/pdf/pdf-0088-ftc-memo-law-enforcement.pdf

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How to report someone impersonating you on Facebook or Twitter

Protecting your identity online is proving increasingly difficult. We’ve covered subjects such as how to secure your Facebook account in the past, but what can you do if someone sets up a rogue account and pretends to be you?

Here we show you how to report someone impersonating you on Facebook or Twitter.

How can someone impersonate you on social media?

It’s easier than you might think. Setting up a new account with a name the same as yours, or a very similar name, is straightforward. Then all they need to do is find a profile picture of you, go through your friends online, and start posting to them or the world at large.

Of course close friends and family will usually spot the ruse, but it can be a distressing experience for the victim, especially if the imposter posts deliberately nasty or inflammatory content.

Thankfully there are steps that can be taken to have these evil doppelgängers removed. In fact Mashable recently reported that Facebook is currently testing a new feature that will alert you if someone is impersonating your account.

The security tool will monitor accounts for duplicate profile pictures and names, then investigate. It’s not available yet, but hopefully we’ll see it introduced before too long.

Until then there are the more standard ways of reporting miscreants.

How do I reporting an imposter on Facebook?

If you have a facebook account.

Facebook provides a quick way to report accounts that you think are impersonating your own. To kick off the process go to the imposter account and click on the three dots to the right of the Message box in the cover photo section at the top of the page.

A drop down menu will appear from which you’ll need to select Report .

A new window will appear with three options. Report something shared by the account , Report this Profile , and I want to help this person .

Select Report this Profile and follow the onscreen instructions. Facebook will then investigate the imposter’s behaviour and hopefully remove their account very quickly.

If you don’t have a Facebook account

Someone can impersonate you online even if you don’t have a Facebook account of your own. In fact it’s probably easier to do it that way.

Fear not though, as the social media giant has safeguards against this sort of identity theft. Just visit Facebook’s Report an Imposter Account page , select the Someone has created an account pretending to be me or a friend option, then follow the on-screen instructions. 

Obviously you’ll need to be able to prove you are who you say you are, but that should be easier for you to do than it will be for your digital double.

How do I report an imposter on Twitter?

Twitter is different when it comes to imposter accounts. Anyone familiar with @darthvader, @god, @queen_uk will know that Twitter happily allows parody accounts to exist. In the most part these can be very funny and generally a good thing.

But, if someone has set up a profile to deliberately disparage you in some way, or simply misrepresent you online, then you can report the account using Twitter’s account impersonation page .

If you’ve been a victim of account impersonation on any site then be sure to report it as quickly as possible. Not only is the perpetrator causing you harm, but they might also be using the account to spam and defraud your friends or associates.

The safety measures are there for your protection, so don’t be afraid to use them.

Author: Martyn Casserly , Contributor

Martyn has been involved with tech ever since the arrival of his ZX Spectrum back in the early 80s. He covers iOS, Android, Windows and macOS, writing tutorials, buying guides and reviews.

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How to Report a Fake Account on Facebook

Is someone impersonating you or somebody you know on Facebook? You’ll need to report the account. This guide explains how.

Have you ever encountered a fake account on Facebook? Perhaps someone is pretending to be you or someone you know, using a fake name or photo to scam or harass others.

Fake accounts can be annoying, harmful, and often illegal. If you want to stop these impostors and protect yourself and your friends, you can report them to Facebook. Reporting a fake account is easy and should help Facebook take more urgent action against them.

In this article, we’ll show you how to do it for mobile and PC users. We’ll also give you tips on spotting a fake account and what to do if someone is impersonating you.

How to Spot a Fake Account on Facebook

Before you report a fake account, you need to make sure it’s actually fake. Here are some signs that can help you identify a fake account:

• The name is unusual and isn’t one you recognize.
• The account has few or no friends, posts, or visible account activity.
• You recognize the name (and other personal data), but the profile doesn’t match the photo.
• The photo is generic or blurry, or you suspect it’s been stolen from another source.
• The account sends you spammy messages or requests for money or personal information.
• The account posts inappropriate or offensive content.

These signs are not definitive, and there will be genuine accounts that may have some of these traits. However, the account is likely fake if you see multiple red flags.

If you want to proceed, you can send a report by following the steps below.

How to Report a Fake Facebook Account on a Mobile Device

The steps are simple to follow if you’re using your mobile device and want to report a fake account on Facebook.

To report a fake Facebook account on Android or iPhone:

• Open the Facebook app and sign in (if you need to).

• Select the profile name of the fake account to open it.

• Follow the on-screen instructions to explain your report and submit it.

Once you’ve submitted your report, you may receive a confirmation in your email. Don’t expect an instant response, however, as Facebook might take some time to respond to the report and deal with the fake account (if they believe it’s a threat).

There’s also no guarantee that Facebook will do anything. If you believe the account puts you or others at risk, you should also consider speaking to law enforcement in your jurisdiction for additional support and advice.

How to Report a Fake Facebook Account on a PC or Mac

If you prefer using Facebook on your PC or Mac, you can follow similar steps to report a fake account on Facebook as mobile users.

To report a fake Facebook account on a PC or Mac:

• Open the Facebook website in your web browser and sign in with your account.
• Search for the fake account by typing the account’s name in the search bar.

• Follow any additional on-screen instructions to submit your report.

As with mobile users, you’ll receive confirmation of your report once you’ve submitted it. However, Facebook will take time to take action (if they take any action at all).

What Should You Do If Someone Is Impersonating You?

If someone uses your name or photo without your permission, you should report them as soon as possible using the steps above.

You should also take these steps to help guard your safety online:

• Contact your friends and family and let them know about the impostor . Ask them not to accept any friend requests or messages from them and to report the account using the steps outlined above.
• Change your password and security settings on Facebook and other online accounts . This will help prevent hackers from accessing more of your information.
• Check your privacy settings and ensure only people you trust can see your posts and photos.
• Speak to law enforcement . In many jurisdictions, impersonating someone online (especially to conduct unlawful activity) is a criminal offense, and the police might be able to force Facebook to bring the account down.

Protecting Yourself on Facebook

Reporting a fake account on Facebook is a simple way to help keep yourself and others safe online. By following these steps, you and others can alert Facebook about impostors or scammers violating their policies. You can also take common-sense precautions to protect your identity and privacy from potential fraudsters.

Want to take steps to improve your Facebook experience? You can always mute a Facebook friend that’s a bit too chatty with posts and messages without removing them.

If you want to start a private conversation without anyone else knowing, you could also start a secret conversation on Facebook Messenger .

April 25, 2023 at 8:09 am

As always Thank You for you informative posts.

It is so frustrating when someone does take control of your Facebook Page. My wife had her Page Hijacked as well as the email was changed so she had no access to it whatsoever. We spent hours trying to reclaim it with out success even when we proved to support with a drivers license and even a passport.

It would be so wonderful if a recommendation could be made hot to resolve this for others…

Roberto Maldonado Nieves

April 29, 2023 at 12:51 am

The problem with Facebook is when we report a fake account of someone that is using my name and pictures also they change the spelling of my by changing 1 letter. Facebook will respond and say they can’t take it down because they are fans not impersonating me. Do we have to sue Facebook?

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How to Report an Imposter on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn

Over the past few years, many individuals and businesses have found social media accounts claiming to be or represent them. And if you’ve ever been in this situation, you know just how confusing and frustrating it is.

The reasons someone may decide to create fake profiles range from vengeance to simply having too much time on their hands. But regardless of the reason, it’s in your best interest to shut them down as quickly as possible.

On this page, you’ll learn how to do that on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Keep reading to learn more, and give us a call at  888-601-5359.

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Facebook imposters

With over  1 billion daily active users , there are bound to be a few profiles on Facebook that aren’t authentic. Fortunately, reporting them is simple.

If the fake account is a personal profile, you can follow Facebook’s instructions to  report an imposter account . Alternatively, if you have your own Facebook account, you can navigate to the fake profile and select “Report” from the dropdown menu next to the “Message” button.

If the fake account is a business page, you can also use the “Report” option on it. However, if they’ve used your brand name, logo, or other trademarked materials, you can also  report a trademark violation .

Unlike the report button, which usually leads to a warning and shutting down the profile, this can lead to legal consequences for the owner of the fake page.

Twitter imposters

In the case of an imposter on Twitter, you can  report the account for impersonation . When you fill out the form, you’ll need to let them know whether the account is pretending to be you or your company.

If you select “An account is pretending to be me or someone I know,” you’ll only need to provide the @ username of the fake account, your own @ username, and your email address. You can also include additional details if you choose.

The process for reporting a fake company account, on the other hand, is slightly more involved.

Once you select “An account is pretending to be or represent my company, brand or organization,” you’ll be asked to confirm that you are an authorized representative of your company, brand or organization.

Then, you’ll need to use a company email address (ex.  [email protected] ) and provide basic information about your company, including your phone number, address, and website. Finally, you’ll need to include the @ username of the imposter account and whether you’d like to use it.

The company notes that gaining control of the username of an imposter account “is not a guarantee,” but if it is your company’s name, it’s a good idea to ask.

Instagram imposters

Now that Instagram is owned by Facebook, it has a similar reporting process.

If someone is impersonating you, the form to  report an impersonation account  is almost identical. And if someone is infringing copyrighted or trademarked material (like your company’s name, brand, or logo),  reporting the violation  is also similar to the Facebook process.

Within Instagram’s app, you can also report profiles by selecting “Report” from the dropdown menu in the upper right. Select “I believe this account violates Instagram’s community guidelines,” then choose whether you want to report an individual post or the account as a whole.

LinkedIn imposters

Unlike most platforms, LinkedIn does not have a system specifically for reporting imposter profiles or pages. However, there are still ways to let them know if someone is pretending to represent you or your company.

If the issue is a fake personal profile, you can navigate to that profile and click “Block or Report” in the dropdown menu next to their photo. Then, select “Report” and flag the profile as “misrepresentation.”

If the issue is a fake company profile, this isn’t an option. Instead, you’ll need to contact LinkedIn through their standard  Help Center form .

Want to manage your company’s social presence more effectively?

Although they can be annoying, imposter accounts are not difficult to deal with, and they don’t usually return once you’ve reported them. Managing an entire social presence, on the other hand, is a bit more of a challenge.

If you’d like to improve your company’s social media marketing, WebFX can help. Our dedicated social team has years of experience creating and managing successful social strategies for our clients, and they’ll do the same for you.  Contact us today  to speak with a strategist!

Table of Contents

• Facebook Imposters
• Twitter Imposters
• Instagram Imposters
• LinkedIn Imposters
• Want to Manage Your Company’s Social Presence More Effectively?

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Reporting an imposter(fake account in your name) on Facebook

Link: https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/295309487309948

This is most likely the worst fear you and I have about Facebook. Because you find people using their real name, it becomes very easy to create many fake accounts.

Unfortunately, they require ID to verify your identity, which would be reasonable if they would delete it immediately. But instead they say they will "Encrypt" your pictures and store it upto a year to make their automated systems better. You can opt out but you will need a Facebook account for it (or atleast you are sent to the login page when you click on opt out) also by opt out, your ID will be stored for 1 month.

Also you need to be the victim to apply, you cannot do it for your friend.

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78% Women Encounter Fake Profiles On Dating Or Matrimony Apps: Report

A staggering 78% of female respondents encountered fake profiles, raising concerns about safety and privacy..

The survey also highlighted the disconnect between online interactions and real-life connections

In the digital age, dating and matrimonial apps have revolutionized the way people connect. These platforms offer a convenient way to meet potential partners, transcending geographical and social barriers. However, the allure of these apps comes with a significant downside.

A recent survey by Juleo and YouGov revealed that while dating apps offer a vast pool of potential matches, they often lead to more frustration than fulfilment. A staggering 78% of female respondents encountered fake profiles, raising concerns about safety and privacy. Additionally, nearly half of all respondents reported experiencing mental health issues due to their experiences on these platforms.

The survey also highlighted the disconnect between online interactions and real-life connections. Despite having used dating or matrimonial apps, two-thirds of respondents had never met their potential partners in person. This can be attributed to factors such as the inability to find suitable profiles and ghosting.

To address these issues, the survey suggests implementing stricter identity verification measures, such as government ID verification, to enhance safety. Additionally, there is a growing demand for more personalized matchmaking services to alleviate the emotional burden of endless swiping. 

While dating apps offer convenience, they also pose significant challenges. Users need to approach these platforms with caution and prioritize their well-being.

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Kamna Chhibber, leading Clinical Psychologist and TEDx speaker, said, "Relationships are challenging in modern times. The availability of too many choices and options can become a deterrent in building significant partnerships. Additionally, safety can get compromised as individuals seek to contact and meet more people. Building mechanisms for exploring relationships in a manner that is safe and which protects them - physically, emotionally and psychologically - is critical."

Varun Sud, Founder-CEO Juleo, said, "The report shares the deep pain faced by the youth today in pursuit of love. Face-to-face conversations and in-person meetings form the core foundation of genuine relationships. Milne se hi baat banti hai. We have hence started a global movement through Juleo to change how singles find love in a safe, trustworthy and responsible manner.   

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