[ALERT] Fake Facebook Profile - What to do?

Fake Facebook Profiles: An Overview and How to Respond

Fake Facebook profiles have become an increasing problem, as more people and businesses become targets of identity theft, harassment, and con games. These accounts can be made to look like genuine people; to do so, they often use stolen images and your personal data. If a false persona (a fake version of your profile) is created, you may be at risk for financial frauds, reputational damage, privacy violations, and even cyberbullying.

According to Facebook’s own reporting, they deleted over 27 billion fake accounts between 2017 and 2024! Last year, Facebook estimated that fake profiles accounted for about 5% of all active monthly users. With over 3 billion active Facebook users, that implies there are 150 million fake Facebook profiles. So it’s important to understand the nature of these fake Facebook profiles and know how to react if one is made in your name, in order to protect your online reputation.

What Are Fake Facebook Profiles?

A fake Facebook profile is an account created using someone else’s (or your) identity in order to deceive others. These accounts may serve various purposes, from conducting phishing schemes to harassing individuals or misleading people for financial gain. Some fake profiles also target public figures or companies in an attempt to damage their reputation or exploit their followers. Here are some common reasons for fake profiles:

• Impersonation: Scammers may use fake Facebook accounts to pose as a well-known person or an acquaintance of their target, to gain their trust.


• Phishing: Fake profiles can be used to entice people to click malicious links or gather personal information from unsuspecting users.


• Harassment and Cyberbullying: Some fake profiles are created to harass or bully others. The perpetrator may post defamatory information to harm the reputation of person being faked, while hiding behind anonymity.


• Fraud and Scams: Most often, these bogus profiles serve as come-ons for money scams, with a goal of extracting money by pretending to be a legitimate friend or authority figure.

In my case, the person who faked my profile was reaching out to my friend list with an introductory “How are you doing today?” message. Any reply to that bait would start the “Here’s how I got money from the government, and how you can get some, too” scam.

Recognizing a Fake Profile

If you suspect that someone has created a fake profile of you or someone else, here are some of the telltale signs to look for:

1. Unusual Behavior: The account sends friend requests to people you know, but you haven’t personally reached out to them.


2. Stolen Photos: The profile uses pictures of the actual person, but the behavior on the account seems out of character.


3. Duplicate Accounts: You notice a new profile for a person you know, or more than one account with your name and personal information.


4. Thin Content: A fake profile will often look like a new account. There may be just one or two posts, and only a few friends listed. The “About” section will often be empty.

As I mentioned before, the scammer will often begin by reaching out with an innocous message such as “How are you today?” in order to get you to engage with the fake account. When someone uses your pictures or information in a fake profile, it can impact your privacy. In addition to impersonating you, the faker can tarnish your reputation, and damage your personal or professional life. Victims of fake profiles may also experience emotional harm, particularly if the profile was created with the intention to spread malicious content, false claims, or engage in bullying.

What To Do If Someone Creates a Fake Facebook Profile of You

If you realize that someone is impersonating you with a fake profile on Facebook, it’s important to act quickly to minimize the damage. Here are the steps I recommend:

• Report the Profile to Facebook: Because this is such a common problem, Facebook has a tool to report fake profiles. To do so, go to the fake profile’s page (this is safe). Click the three dots (•••) and click or tap “Report profile”. Choose the “Scam, fraud or impersonation” option and follow the instructions. Facebook will review your report, and after confirming that the profile is fake, they will delete it. (This begs the question of why they don’t proactively scan for fake accounts. With AI, they should be able to detect and zap them automatically.)


• Inform Your Contacts: Tell your friends and family about the fake account to so they won’t become victims by engaging with a scammer. Post a message on your (real) profile that there’s a fake profile out there.


• Check Your Account Security: If this happens, it’s a good idea to make sure that your real account is secure. Change your password and turn on two-factor authentication. Next, review your Facebook privacy settings, and limit the visibility of your posts, photos and personal info to only trusted friends. You may want to delete “friends” who are not actual friends in real life.


• Consider Legal Action: Creating a fake profile could constitute identity theft or other cyber crimes. If a fake Facebook profile results in damage to your reputation, consider seeking legal counsel.

Preventing Fake Profiles in the Future

While you can’t always prevent someone from creating a fake profile, there are steps you can take to protect your online identity:

• Limit what you share publicly. Avoid posting personal information like phone numbers, addresses, or even photos that could be misused.


• Regularly review your privacy settings. Ensure your profile is visible only to friends or specific groups.


• Watch For Multiple and Repeat Fake Accounts: There may be more than one fake account. Use the Facebook search box to search for your own name, and peruse the list for potential fakes. Be watchful for any future account impersonations. Facebook scammers may not give up easily, so be vigilant.

Here’s the bottom line. Fake Facebook profiles can range from a nuisance to serious privacy and security concerns. If you notice that someone has created a fake Facebook account using your photos and personal information, report it right away, double check your account secutity settings, and remain vigilant.

Have you found a fake profile? Tell me your story, and how you responded. Post your comment or question below…