How to report an Instagram account impersonating you

First, save the evidence

Fake Instagram accounts often switch usernames to dodge reports. Before anything else:

1. Copy the profile URL: “…” then Copy profile URL.
2. Open “About this account” from the “…” menu. Instagram shows details such as the date the account joined and, for some accounts, the country and former usernames. Screenshot it: a very recent account is a useful piece of evidence.
3. Screenshot the profile, copied posts and any DMs sent to your followers.
4. Note any WhatsApp or payment numbers the fake account shares.

Report the fake account in the app

1. Open the fake profile.
2. Tap “…” in the top right corner.
3. Tap Report, then Report account.
4. Choose “It’s pretending to be someone else” (or the closest impersonation option).
5. Say who is being impersonated: Me, someone you follow, a public figure or a business.
6. If asked, select your real account, then submit.

Don’t pick “Spam”: the impersonation reason routes your report to the right team. Instagram may then ask for a photo of your ID to confirm it is really you; only provide it in the official app or on Instagram’s website.

If it blocked you, or you don’t have an account

• Ask trusted followers to report the account as impersonating someone they follow.
• Instagram has an impersonation report form for people without an account. Find it at help.instagram.com by searching “impersonation”. Have the fake @username and a photo ID ready.
• For a registered trademark or photos you own the rights to, the Help Center also has intellectual property forms.
• If it’s actually your own account that was hacked, go to instagram.com/hacked instead.

Instagram updates its menus regularly; if a label looks different on your phone, the official Help Center is the reference.

Common scams run by Instagram impersonators

Knowing the playbook helps you write a sharper warning:

• Fake giveaways: “You won! Just pay the shipping fee to get your prize.”
• Fake shop: your product photos at very low prices, payment upfront, nothing ever delivered.
• “Backup account”: “My old account got hacked, follow this one instead.”
• Code requests: the fake account asks followers to forward a code they got by SMS, which can be used to hijack their own account.

Protect your followers during the review

1. Post a story and save it as a Highlight: “A fake account is going around. My only account is @yourname. I never ask for money in DMs.”
2. Pin a warning post to the top of your grid.
3. Use one official link in your bio that lists all your real accounts and your real number.
4. Secure your account: unique password and two-factor authentication in Accounts Center.

If followers paid the impersonator, they should contact their mobile money provider or bank quickly with the transaction reference, then file a police report. See someone is impersonating me online.

How My Official Links helps on Instagram

Instagram gives you limited space for links in your bio, so make the main one prove who you are.

• Your official My Official Links page gathers your real Instagram, real WhatsApp, other socials, promotions and address. Followers always know where to check.
• Certification (blue badge) confirms that your Instagram bio shows that link, that your phone numbers are yours (code by WhatsApp or by call), that your emails are yours and that your legal name matches your national ID or tax number. Learn about certification.
• The free Check an account tool: a follower pastes an Instagram link or @username and sees whether it belongs to a certified page. Add it to your warning story.
• If your brand is copied on My Official Links itself, use Report impersonation.

My Official Links is not affiliated with Instagram or Meta and can’t remove Instagram accounts. Create your page: 14-day free trial, no credit card.

What to do right now: checklist

1. Copy the fake account’s URL and @username.
2. Screenshot “About this account”, the profile and the DMs.
3. Report: Report account → pretending to be someone else → Me.
4. Ask a few trusted followers to report it too.
5. Post a warning story and save it as a Highlight.
6. Turn on two-factor authentication.
7. Put your official link in your bio and get it certified.