TL;DR: Every major platform has an impersonation report. On Facebook, open the fake profile, tap the three dots, choose Find support or report, then Pretending to be someone. On Instagram, report the profile as "pretending to be someone else" and pick Me. Facebook has a form for people without an account, and X may ask for a government ID. Screenshot the fake profile first, because evidence disappears once it is removed.
Before you report: collect evidence
Fake profiles often vanish once reported, and the scammer may start again under a new name. Save proof first:
- Screenshots of the profile name, photo, bio, posts and the profile URL
- Any messages the account sent you or your contacts
- The date you found it and who told you about it
Then warn friends and family on another channel. Impersonation accounts usually message your contacts with a sad story or an "investment opportunity," the pattern we cover in our guide to Instagram scams.
If you have an account, AARP's walkthrough matches Facebook's current flow:
- Open the fake profile and tap the three dots below the cover photo.
- Choose Find support or report.
- Pick Pretending to be someone, then choose whether it's you, a friend or a public figure.
- Follow the prompts and submit.
No Facebook account, or locked out? Facebook accepts impostor reports from non-users through its Help Center. Bitdefender points to Facebook's dedicated impostor contact form and its help article on reporting a profile pretending to be you. You can also ask a friend to report it from their account.
If your own Facebook was taken over and is now being used against you, follow our hacked Facebook account steps instead, since that is a recovery problem, not an impersonation one.
Instagram only lets the person being impersonated file the report. If someone is copying a friend, your friend has to report it.
- Open the fake profile and tap the three dots.
- Tap Report, then Report account.
- Choose It's pretending to be someone else, then Me, and submit.
Instagram also has a web form for people who don't use the app; see its help page on what to do if someone is impersonating you.
X (Twitter)
X uses an impersonation form in its Help Center. You give your email, the fake username and a description, and X may ask you to upload a government-issued photo ID to confirm you are the person being impersonated. Leave out passwords, home address and other sensitive details in the description.
TikTok and LinkedIn
- TikTok: open the profile, tap the three dots, then Report, Report account, Pretending to be someone, Me.
- LinkedIn (desktop): on the profile, click More, then Report/Block, Report content on profile, and choose fake account or impersonation.
If the fake account is scamming people
- Report it to the platform as both impersonation and fraud.
- In the US, report the scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If money was lost, file with the FBI's IC3 too; our guide to reporting a scam to IC3 explains the form.
- If the account is using intimate or private images of you, use the faster takedown routes in our intimate image takedown guide.
- If your address, phone or workplace is being posted, treat it as doxxing; see what to do if your info is posted.
Why impersonators pick you
A convincing copy needs your name, photos and a list of people who trust you. Public profiles hand over all three. Locking down your profile helps; see how to make Facebook private and how to make Instagram private. Scammers also use leaked emails and phone numbers to contact your network from new accounts, so run a free email exposure check to see where your email has leaked.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I report a fake Facebook account pretending to be me?
Open the profile, tap the three dots, choose Find support or report, then Pretending to be someone and Me. If you have no Facebook account, use the impostor form in the Facebook Help Center or ask a friend to report it.
Can I report an Instagram impersonation account for a friend?
No. Instagram asks the person being impersonated to file the report. Ask your friend to report it themselves.
Do I need ID to report impersonation?
Sometimes. X may ask for a government-issued photo ID, and other platforms can ask for proof if the report is unclear.
How long does it take to remove a fake account?
Platforms do not publish fixed times. Reports from the impersonated person with clear evidence tend to be handled faster than general spam reports.
What should I do after reporting a fake account?
Warn your contacts, keep screenshots, report any money lost to the police or FTC, and tighten your own privacy settings so your photos are harder to copy.
Sources
- AARP: How to report an impostor account on social media
- Bitdefender: What to do if someone creates a fake Facebook account with your name
- Facebook Help Center: Report a profile pretending to be you
- Instagram Help Center: If someone is impersonating you