Deepak Gupta

Fake Instagram account pretending to be you

Report the fake account from its profile in the Instagram app: tap Report, Report Account, then It's pretending to be someone else. If you do not have an Instagram account, or lost access to yours, use Instagram's "Report an Impersonation Account on Instagram or Threads" form. Reports are anonymous unless they are about intellectual property.

Do these 3 things now

1Report the fake profile in the app, or use Instagram's impersonation form if you cannot log in.Read to them:“Report the fake profile in the app, or use Instagram's impersonation form if you cannot log in.”
2Tell your followers, from your real account, that the fake is not you.Read to them:“Tell your followers, from your real account, that the fake is not you.”
3Do not reply to anyone who offers to take the fake account down for a fee. Only Instagram removes accounts.Read to them:“Do not reply to anyone who offers to take the fake account down for a fee. Only Instagram removes accounts.”

Report an Impersonation Account on Instagram or Threads

Official link: help.instagram.com

I am helping someone else

Helper mode: each step is written for you to read aloud. Let them tap and type on their own device; never ask them to send you a code. Send them this first.

01Is this you?

An account uses your name, photos or username with small changes.
Friends say "you" sent them a follow request or a DM asking for money.

Not quite? My own account was taken over · The hacker changed my email

02Official recovery path

Go to the fake profile. Tap their username or use Search to find it.Read to them:“Go to the fake profile. Tap their username or use Search to find it.”source
Tap Options next to their username.Read to them:“Tap Options next to their username.”source
Tap Report, then tap Report Account.Read to them:“Tap Report, then tap Report Account.”source
Tap It's pretending to be someone else, choose the type of impersonation, and follow the on-screen instructions.Read to them:“Tap It's pretending to be someone else, choose the type of impersonation, and follow the on-screen instructions.”source
If you do not have an Instagram account, or the fake is pretending to be someone you represent such as your child, use the impersonation form instead.Read to them:“If you do not have an Instagram account, or the fake is pretending to be someone you represent such as your child, use the impersonation form instead.”source

Did that get you back in?

Yes

Lock it down now. Change the password, turn on two-step, sign out other devices. It takes about 15 minutes.

No

A.If the fake is pretending to be a friend, you can report it from its profile and say who it is copying, or ask your friend to report it.Read to them:“If the fake is pretending to be a friend, you can report it from its profile and say who it is copying, or ask your friend to report it.”source
B.Meta Verified subscribers get an impersonation protection benefit. Check Instagram's help page for what it includes.Read to them:“Meta Verified subscribers get an impersonation protection benefit. Check Instagram's help page for what it includes.”source

Then: how long it takes

03How long it takes

No published timeline

Instagram does not publish how long impersonation reports take.

While you wait

Post a story or note from your real account saying the fake is not you.
Ask friends to report the fake too, from its profile.
Screenshot the fake profile and any messages it sent, in case you need to report it to police.

04Warn your contacts

Send this from another account or by text, so nobody falls for messages sent in your name.

Someone made a fake Instagram account pretending to be me: [@fake_username]. My only real account is [@real_username]. If the fake messages you, please do not reply or send anything, and report it as pretending to be someone else.

More templates: email, followers, customers

05Watch out for recovery scams

People who just lost an account are the main target of fake helpers. Only Instagram's own app or website can restore your account.

A friend's hacked account asking you to vote, join a contest, or send a code. The code is usually a login link or reset code for your own account. How it works
Fake accounts that copy a person or brand to ask followers for money or to move the chat off Instagram. How it works
"Recovery hackers" in comments and DMs who say they can get your account back for a fee. Only Instagram can restore an account, through instagram.com/hacked. How it works

All recovery scams and how to spot them

06Once you're back in: lock it down

0 of 9 doneAbout 18 minutes total

Change your password to one you use nowhere else2 minOn the web, click More > Settings > Accounts Center > Password and security > Change password, pick the account, and enter your current and new password. Instagram says to use at least 6 numbers, letters and punctuation marks. Changing it logs out every other device.source
Turn on two-factor authentication with an authentication app4 minClick More > Settings > See more in Accounts Center > Password and security > Two-factor authentication, then pick your account. Choose Authentication app, which Instagram recommends over text message. You can only turn on the app method from the Instagram app for iPhone or Android.source
Save your backup codes somewhere safe2 minIn Password and security > Two-factor authentication, pick your account, then click Additional methods > Backup codes. Save them offline. A backup code gets you in when a login code cannot reach you.source
Log out devices you do not recognize2 minIn Password and security, click Where you're logged in, pick your account, then click Select devices to log out. Select anything you do not recognize and click Log out.source
Check your email and phone number are yours1 minConfirm the email address and phone number in your account settings are correct and that only you can reach them. These are where Instagram sends login links and codes.source
Remove linked accounts you do not recognize1 minOpen Accounts Center and check which Facebook, Instagram and Meta accounts are added. Remove any account you do not recognize.source
Remove third-party apps you do not trust2 minClick More > Settings, then below Your app and media click Website permissions > Apps and Websites > Active. Click Remove next to anything you do not use or trust, especially apps that promised likes or followers.source
Secure the email account tied to Instagram3 minInstagram says anyone who can read your email can probably get into your Instagram too. Give that email account its own strong, unique password and turn on its two-step sign-in.source
Learn where to check real Instagram emails1 minClick More > Settings > Meta Account > Login and security > Recent emails. Security emails from the last 14 days are listed there. If a "security" email is not in the list, it did not come from Instagram.source

Then do the 24-hour cleanup.

Free toolExposure CheckSee what of yours is already public.Free toolPassword Breach CheckCheck if a password shows up in known leaks.ReadLogin security: 7 best practices

07How it probably happened

Most likely
Someone copied your public photos and name to scam your followers.
Also common
Scammers make lookalike accounts of people their target trusts.
How this scam works
Less common
Fake accounts copy brands and public figures to run giveaway or investment scams.
How this scam works

Account taken, recovery details swapped

08Report it

Report an Impersonation Account on Instagram or Threads

Lost money, being blackmailed, or someone is using your account to scam others? Report it to your country's cybercrime service too. If you are in danger, call your local emergency number.

United States

FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)Report online crime, including account takeovers that led to money loss or extortion. The IC3 never contacts you first and never asks for money.
FTC ReportFraudReport the scam to the Federal Trade Commission.
IdentityTheft.govUse it if someone used your Social Security number or opened accounts in your name. You get a recovery plan.

United Kingdom

Report Fraud (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)Run by the City of London Police. It replaced Action Fraud on 4 December 2025. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101 instead.
Forward scam texts to 7726Free on most UK networks. Your provider can look into the sender and block it.
Report a scam email to the NCSCForward the email to report@phishing.gov.uk before you delete it.
Report Fraud: 0300 123 2040England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.

India

National Cyber Crime Reporting PortalRun by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), Ministry of Home Affairs. Reports go to state and UT police.
Chakshu on Sanchar SaathiReport suspected fraud calls, SMS or WhatsApp messages to the Department of Telecommunications. It is not for money already lost: call 1930 for that.
National Cyber Crime Helpline: 1930Toll free, 24 hours. Call fast if money left your account: it can help freeze the transfer.

Canada

Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: report onlineVictims and witnesses can report fraud or cybercrime online. Also contact your local police as soon as you can.
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: 1-888-495-8501Toll free. The CAFC does not contact people to ask for money.

Australia

ReportCyberReport cybercrime to police. Your report may go to your state or territory police or the AFP.
ScamwatchReport a scam, even if you lost no money. The AFP also points people worried about identity theft to IDCARE, a free support service.
ReportCyber phone line: 1300 292 371Report concerns about cybercrime or cyber security incidents. If life is at risk, call 000.

09Questions people ask

Will the fake account know I reported it?

No. Instagram says your report is anonymous, except if you are reporting intellectual property infringement.

Can I report a fake account if I do not use Instagram?

Yes. Instagram says you can contact Meta through its impersonation form if you do not have an Instagram or Threads account.

Can I report an account pretending to be my child?

Yes. Instagram says to use the impersonation form for someone you are authorized to represent, such as your child.

What if the account is not copying anyone, just lying about itself?

Instagram says you can only report an account for impersonating someone or something, not for misrepresenting itself. Other report types cover other problems.

Sources and last check

Last verified: October 16, 2026. Steps checked against the platform's own help pages listed below. Device testing is ongoing; steps marked unconfirmed are still waiting for it.

Instagram Help: Impersonation accounts (read 2026-10-16)
Instagram Help: Report an account pretending to be you (read 2026-10-16)
Instagram Help Center: Report an Impersonation Account on Instagram or Threads (read 2026-10-16)

Wrong step or changed screen? Report it. Never include passwords or codes.