How to Remove a Fake Facebook Profile

A fake Facebook profile can mislead friends, scam family or damage your reputation. Facebook lets you report impersonation, even if you are not logged in.

A fake Facebook profile can cause real damage. Impersonators use stolen photos to add your friends and family, send messages asking for money or spread false stories. Because Facebook is so widely used, the impact can be fast.

Facebook takes impersonation seriously, and there are reporting routes for both account holders and people who do not have an account.

Steps

1. Save evidenceScreenshot the profile and copy its URL.
2. Report the profileOpen the profile menu, choose find support or report and select pretending to be someone.
3. Use the online impersonation formIf you do not have an account, or the first report fails, use Facebook's impersonation report form.
4. Ask friends to reportA few genuine reports help.
5. Warn your friendsPost a notice that a fake profile exists.
6. Secure your accountUse strong passwords and two-factor authentication.

What counts as impersonation

Facebook's rules prohibit accounts that pretend to be someone else in a way that misleads. A profile that uses your name and photos, copies your details and contacts your friends is a clear case. Parody and fan pages are treated differently if they are clearly labelled, so be precise about what the fake is doing.

Reporting step by step

• Open the fake profile and copy its address
• Use the menu on the profile to find support or report
• Choose the option for pretending to be someone and say who it is pretending to be
• If you do not have an account or the report does not work, use the online impersonation form
• Provide proof of your identity if asked, through the official form only

Warning your network

Tell friends and family that a fake exists, and ask them not to accept requests or reply to messages from it. Ask them to report the profile as well. A post on your real account is a good way to reach many people at once, but you can also send direct messages to those closest to you.

After removal

Impersonators sometimes return with new accounts. Search for your name and photos periodically, check the privacy settings on your real profile and limit who can see your friends list. If money was taken from anyone, advise them to contact their bank and report the fraud to the authorities.

If the fake profile is used for scams

Fake Facebook profiles are often used to message friends and ask for emergency money, to promote fake investments or to share links that steal passwords. If you learn that a friend has already sent money or clicked a suspicious link, encourage them to contact their bank, change passwords and report the incident to their local fraud authority. Time matters in these cases.

Keep a list of who has been contacted, so that you can follow up, and record any payment details the scammer gave. Police or fraud agencies may find the information useful.

Email us if the fake is part of a larger campaign.

Frequently asked questions

This guide is general information, not legal advice. DMCA Reputation is not a law firm.