Fake Instagram accounts copy your photos, your bio and a username that looks almost like yours, then message your followers. Some ask for money, some promote scams, and some just harass. Instagram does remove them, but only when the right person files the right kind of report.

First, collect the evidence

Before you report, take a few minutes to save:

  • the profile link of the fake account (open the profile, tap the three dots, copy the profile URL),
  • screenshots of the profile, bio and posts, with the date visible,
  • screenshots of any messages it sent to you or your followers,
  • the link to your real account.

Fake accounts often change their username after a report. A saved link and screenshots mean you can still prove what happened.

The quick way: report from the app

  1. Open the fake profile.
  2. Tap the three dots in the corner and choose Report.
  3. Choose the option for an account that is pretending to be someone else, then say it is pretending to be you.
  4. Follow the prompts.

When the person being impersonated reports from their own account, Instagram can compare the two directly, which usually helps.

If you don’t have an Instagram account, or the in-app report fails

Instagram’s Help Center has an impersonation report form that does not require an Instagram account. You will be asked for a photo of a government-issued ID so Instagram can confirm you are the person being impersonated. Instagram states that it uses the ID only to review the report.

If the fake account is copying a business or brand rather than a person, the report should come from someone authorised to act for that business, and trademark or copyright reports may be more appropriate. See our guide on scammers posing as your business.

Ask your followers to report too, carefully

Followers can report the account as impersonating someone they follow. That helps, but ask them to report, not to argue with the fake account or click its links.

Warn your audience. Post a story or pinned message saying you will never ask for money or login codes in DMs, and include your one real username. This cuts off the scam even before the account is gone.

If the report is rejected

Instagram sometimes replies that the account doesn’t go against its guidelines. That usually means the reviewer could not see the connection between you and the fake. Report again with clearer evidence: side-by-side screenshots of your real profile and the fake one, and the messages it sent. If the account is also using your photos, a copyright report for the photos you own is a separate route and is often decided on different grounds. Our guide to DMCA takedowns explains how.

Our Impersonation & Harassment service helps you document fake accounts properly and file each report through the channel most likely to work.

Frequently asked questions

Can I report a fake Instagram account without having Instagram?

Yes. Instagram’s Help Center has an impersonation report form for people without an account. You will need to provide a photo of your ID.

How long does Instagram take to remove a fake account?

It can be hours or a few weeks. A report from the person being impersonated, with clear evidence, is usually handled faster.

Can my friends report the fake account for me?

Yes, they can report it as impersonating someone they know. A report from you as the real person is still the strongest.