- Who an impostor can be pretending to be
- How to report a fake Instagram account in the app
- Will they know you reported them?
- Reporting for someone else
- Before you report: check it really is a fake
- What Instagram does on its own
- If your own account was taken over
- What to do while you wait
- My take
- Frequently asked questions
To report a fake Instagram account, open its profile, tap Options in the top right, tap Report, then Something about this account, then They're pretending to be someone else, and follow the steps. The report is anonymous: the account won't see who reported it.
The rule people trip over: Instagram lets you report an account for impersonating someone or something, not simply for misrepresenting itself. A fake that pretends to be a real person or business is reportable as impersonation. An account that's just odd or exaggerated may need a different kind of report.
Below are the steps, who you can report on behalf of, what to do if you don't have Instagram, and how Instagram catches fakes on its own. Everything comes from Instagram's Help Center, read in October 2026.
Who an impostor can be pretending to be
Instagram says you can report an impostor account if it's pretending to be:
- You
- Someone you follow
- A celebrity or public figure
- A business or organisation
It covers impostor accounts on Threads as well as Instagram.
How to report a fake Instagram account in the app
- Tap the account's username on one of its posts or stories, or tap Search and search for it, to open the profile.
- Tap Options in the top right of the profile.
- Tap Report, then Something about this account.
- Tap They're pretending to be someone else.
- Pick the type of impersonation and follow the on-screen instructions.
On the desktop site the wording is slightly different: click Options next to the username, click Report, then Report Account, then It's pretending to be someone else.
Will they know you reported them?
No. Instagram says your report is anonymous and the account won't see who reported it. The one exception is a report about intellectual property infringement, such as copyright, where your details can be shared with the person you report.
Reporting for someone else
| Situation | What Instagram suggests |
|---|---|
| Someone is pretending to be you | Report it from the fake profile in the app |
| Someone is pretending to be a friend or person you know | Report it from the profile, or contact the real person and encourage them to report it |
| Someone is pretending to be a person you're authorised to represent, such as your child | Report it by contacting Meta through its impersonation form |
| You don't have an Instagram or Threads account | Contact Meta for support to report the impersonation |
If you're reporting for a friend, Instagram lets you say which account the impostor is copying. Telling the real person is still worth doing, because they can report it too and warn their followers.
Before you report: check it really is a fake
It's worth a minute to be sure, because Instagram only accepts impersonation reports for accounts pretending to be someone or something. A few quick checks:
- Compare it with the real account: username, profile photo, bio and how long it's been posting.
- Look at who it's following and whether people you know have had odd messages from it.
- Ask the real person or business directly, by a channel you already trust, whether the account is theirs.
- If it's a fan or tribute account that's clearly labelled, Instagram treats that differently from an impostor.
Once you're sure, report it. You don't need to prove anything in advance; Instagram's review does that part.
What Instagram does on its own
You're not the only line of defence. Instagram says it uses tools that constantly monitor for potential impostors of public figures and creators. Its systems combine signals, scaled detection and community reports. When an account is flagged, a decision is either made immediately or sent for review against its policies.
It also adds what it calls friction points when it spots likely impersonation, for example requiring an ID to create an account with a celebrity's name, or asking an account to choose a label such as fan account. Instagram also says Meta Verified subscribers get an impersonation protection benefit.
Checking whether a username has changed? Our guide to seeing old usernames on Instagram shows how.
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If your own account was taken over
A fake copy of your account and a hacked account are different problems. If someone has got into your real account, secure it first: Instagram's impersonation help points people whose account was hacked to its account security steps. My guide to recovering a hacked or lost Instagram account walks through that.
What to do while you wait
- Post a story or note telling your followers there's a fake account and that you'll never message them from it.
- Ask a few trusted followers to report it too. Instagram uses community reports as one of its signals.
- Don't engage with the fake. Messaging it rarely helps and can expose more of your details.
- Check your own security settings, especially two-factor authentication, so the fake can't become a takeover.
If you change your mind about a report, my guide on whether you can undo a report on Instagram explains what happens next.
My take
Fake accounts copying small businesses are usually after your customers, not you: they message your followers with fake offers. The fastest protection is a public warning from your real account plus a report. Speed matters more than perfect wording, so report first and tidy up afterwards.
To flag a single post rather than a whole account, see our guide to reporting a post on Instagram.
Frequently asked questions
How do I report a fake account on Instagram?
Go to the fake profile, tap Options in the top right, tap Report, then Something about this account, then They're pretending to be someone else, and follow the instructions.
Will someone know if I report their Instagram account?
No. Instagram says your report is anonymous and the account won't see who reported it, except when you report intellectual property infringement.
Can I report a fake Instagram account if I don't have Instagram?
Yes. Instagram says that if you're being impersonated but don't have an Instagram or Threads account, you can contact Meta for support.
Can I report an account pretending to be my child?
Yes. Instagram says that if an impostor is impersonating someone you're authorised to represent, such as your child, you can report it by contacting Meta.
Can I report a fake Instagram account from a computer?
Yes. On the desktop site, click Options next to the username, click Report, then Report Account, then It's pretending to be someone else, and follow the instructions.
What should I do if a fake account is copying my friend?
Instagram suggests reporting it from the profile and letting Instagram know which account it's copying, and contacting your friend by email, phone or direct message so they can report it too.
Can I report an account just for being misleading?
Not as impersonation. Instagram says you can only report an account for impersonating someone or something, not for misrepresenting itself; other report types cover other problems.
