A fake Instagram account is pretending to be me

Steps

1. Open the fake profile.
2. Tap the three dots, Report, then 'pretending to be someone'.
3. Choose 'me' and follow the ID step.

Warn your followers

Post a short note so people know which account is real.

What to do first

Here is the fuller version, step by step.

1. Collect the link to the fake account and screenshots of its profile and posts.
2. Report it in the app as pretending to be you, or to be someone you represent.
3. If you have no account on that platform, use its Help Center impersonation form, which accepts reports from people who are not users.
4. Add ID for personal impersonation or business documents for brand impersonation when asked.
5. Post on your real account that the other one is fake, and ask people who were contacted to report it too.
6. For brand impersonation with a registered trademark, also file a trademark report.
7. Keep a list of every fake account and the date you reported each.

What to have ready

• Links to your real account and website.
• Messages the fake account sent to others.
• Screenshots with dates.
• Link to the fake account.
• Government ID, or business registration and trademark details.
• Reports from people the fake account contacted.

How to word it

• Stick to facts about the impersonation; do not add complaints about other things.
• If the fake is collecting money, say so; that is a scam and can be treated more urgently.
• Say which account is real and which is fake, and what the fake is doing.

Things that slow it down

• Messaging the fake account or paying it to stop.
• Reporting accounts that are not impersonating anyone.
• Posting the impersonator's personal details publicly.

After you send it

• If the account stays up, report again with any new evidence, such as messages asking for money.
• Platforms reply by email or in-app notification.
• Turn on any account protection the platform offers for public figures or brands.
• If money was lost, report it to the police or your national fraud service.

When to ask for help

• Several fake accounts keep coming back.
• The fake account is asking your contacts for money.

What to send

• Your username or profile link.
• A screenshot of the notice or error, with the date visible.
• Which email or phone is on the account (just which one, never a code).
• What happened before it started, in a few lines.

Please do not send passwords, login codes, card numbers or access tokens.

How it works with Ban Help

1. Message us on WhatsApp or email with the username and a screenshot of the notice.
2. We tell you honestly whether this is something we can help with. Terms are agreed with you before any work starts.
3. We prepare the appeal and the supporting details, to go through the platform’s own channels.
4. We stay in touch while you wait. The platform makes the final decision, and nobody can promise the outcome.

About Ban Help

Ban Help is an independent account recovery service. We help people and businesses with disabled, suspended, hacked and locked accounts on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat and Threads, Meta ad accounts and Business Manager, username claims and impersonation reports. Contact: WhatsApp +1 934 201 2490 or team@unbanz.com. Independent service. Not affiliated with Meta.