How-To

How to Report a Fake Account on Facebook

By Ben Stockton

Updated May 11, 2023

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:

1. Open the Facebook app and sign in (if you need to).
2. Tap the magnifying glass icon to search for the fake account.
   
3. Select the profile name of the fake account to open it.
4. Tap the three-dots icon on the profile page.
   
5. Next, tap Report Profile.
   
6. Choose why you’re reporting the profile from these options, which include Pretending to be something, Fraud or scam, Hate speech, and more (listed as Something else).
   
7. 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:

1. Open the Facebook website in your web browser and sign in with your account.
2. Search for the fake account by typing the account’s name in the search bar.
3. Once you’ve located the fake account, select it from the search results.
   
4. On the profile page, click the three-dots icon in the bottom-right corner of their cover photo and select Find support or report.
   
5. Choose why you’re reporting the profile from the options available, including Pretending to be someone, Fraud or scam, Hate speech, and more.
   
6. 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:

1. 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.
2. Change your password and security settings on Facebook and other online accounts. This will help prevent hackers from accessing more of your information.
3. Check your privacy settings and ensure only people you trust can see your posts and photos.
4. 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.