Is that really you? How to spot a fake account on social media

Have you ever had an encounter with someone who pretended to be someone they weren’t? In real life, the fake moustache is a big giveaway(!), but online, on social media, it’s a lot harder to spot. A few weeks ago, some delightful individual decided that I would be a good person to pretend to be. The whole thing was more than a bit strange, but as you know, I like to use these weird experiences as learning points for anyone who needs them- myself included(!), so, let’s dive in to how to spot a fake account on social media, shall we?

This blog is taken from a podcast I recorded all about the experience, so make sure you head off and listen to the whole podcast for all the juicy details (and all the strange bits of the story!)

My impersonator (affectionately referred to as ‘fake me’) did a really good job. They took lots of elements from my account and bio, targeted people I knew, and bizarrely even promoted a course I run (I assume this was some kind of trust gaining exercise), but they let themselves down on a few points, which I chat about on the podcast.

From this, I have opted to pay for verification on my Instagram account. Should I have to? No, but my Instagram account is important to me. Did it aid the removal of the fake account? It vanished in under 12 hours. Should you? It’s a personal decision whether to opt for the subscription, but it did provide me with a positive outcome in this situation.

Dealing with impersonation on social media can be unsettling, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself. Here are some key takeaways:

1. **Be vigilant**: Pay attention to language, communication style, and subtle details that might indicate an account is not genuine.

2. **Check usernames**: Look for subtle variations, extra characters, underscores, or misspellings in usernames that impersonators might use.

3. **Avoid clicking on links**: Be cautious about clicking on links, especially if they are shared through direct messages. Verify the legitimacy of the links through other means, such as going to that person’s website and

4. **Screenshot and report**: If you encounter an impersonation account, take screenshots of the interactions and report the account to the platform. Provide evidence to support your report.

5. **Inform the person being impersonated**: If possible, reach out to the person being impersonated through other channels to let them know about the situation. Share any evidence you have.

6. **Consider verification**: Depending on your situation and preferences, you might explore verified subscriptions offered by social media platforms for added security and support.

Remember, maintaining awareness and staying proactive can help protect yourself and others from the impact of impersonation on social media. If you ever find yourself in such a situation, follow these steps to address it effectively.