How To Report An Impersonating Account On Facebook & Instagram

Have you come across a Facebook or Instagram account that is pretending to be someone else? Here’s how you can report impersonating accounts.

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.

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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.

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Source: Facebook, Instagram