How to Report an Impostor Account on Facebook
Fake profiles copy your name and photos to scam your friends. Reporting is quick, and a few extra steps limit the damage.
By Siddharth ShankarUpdated October 18, 2026Open the fake profile, use the report option and choose that it is pretending to be you. Facebook says you can also report from the cover photo menu. If you do not have a Facebook account, use Facebook’s impostor account form. Warn your friends not to accept requests or send money, and lock down your real profile so photos are harder to copy.
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An impostor account copies your name and profile photos, then sends friend requests to people you know. Once accepted, it often asks for money, gift cards or one-time codes, or shares scam links. Your friends think it is you. Acting quickly protects them.
How to report the fake profile
1Find the profile
If you cannot find it, search the name it uses or ask a friend to send you the link.
2Open the report option
Facebook’s Help Center says to open the cover photo on the profile and select the report option, or use the menu on the profile.
3Choose impersonation
Follow the prompts and select that the profile is pretending to be you.
4Ask friends to report it too
Reports from people who know you add weight.
If you do not have a Facebook account
Facebook has an impostor account form for people without an account. You may be asked for the link to the fake profile and proof of your identity.
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Warn your friends
Post on your real profile or message close friends: a fake account is using your name, do not accept requests, do not send money or codes, and please report it. Scammers move fast, so a short warning is better than a perfect one.
Was your real account hacked instead?
Check carefully. If people receive messages from your actual profile, not a copy, your account itself may be compromised. Change your password, turn on two-factor authentication and check logged-in devices. If you cannot get in, use Facebook’s hacked account recovery.
Make your profile harder to copy
- Hide your friends list, so impostors cannot see who to target. See how to make Facebook private.
- Limit who can see your photos and past posts.
- Use profile locking where it is available.
- Keep your profile picture something you are comfortable with anyone seeing, since it is usually public.
If the fake account keeps coming back
Report every new copy and keep screenshots with dates. If the impersonation includes threats, harassment or fraud, report it to the police as well. For Instagram, see Instagram account recovery, and for the wider issue read doxxing and how to protect yourself.
Collect evidence before it disappears
Take screenshots of the fake profile, its address, any messages sent to friends and the dates. If the account is removed, you will still have a record, which helps if it reappears or if you need to report fraud or harassment to the police.
Check other platforms
Impostors often copy the same photos to Instagram, TikTok or dating apps. Search your name and run a reverse image search on your profile picture to find other copies, then report each one on its platform.
Tell your bank if money was involved
If a friend or relative sent money to the impostor, they should contact their bank straight away and report the scam. The faster a bank hears about it, the better the chance of stopping or tracing a payment.
Why impostors target ordinary people
Fake profiles of ordinary people work because friends trust them. Scammers pick accounts with public photos and visible friends lists, then contact the most likely victims, often older relatives. Reducing what is public on your profile is the best way to make yourself a poor target.
Sources
- Facebook Help Center: Report a profile pretending to be you (reporting steps)
- Facebook Help Center: Report an impostor account (form) (option for people without an account)
Frequently asked questions
How long does Facebook take to remove an impostor account?
Facebook does not give a fixed time. Reports from you and friends who know you can help.
Can I report a fake profile without a Facebook account?
Yes. Facebook has an impostor account form for people without an account.
Will the impostor know I reported them?
Facebook reports are generally confidential and do not name you to the account you report.
What should I tell my friends?
That a fake account is using your name, not to accept requests, not to send money or codes and to report it.
How do I stop it happening again?
Hide your friends list, limit who sees your photos and posts, and use profile locking where available.
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