Q&A for How to Recognize Fake Instagram Accounts

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What can you do if someone's pretending to be you on Instagram?

Kasey Dunn
Social Media Expert
Kasey Dunn is a Social Media Expert and the Senior Social Media Manager for Golden Arrow PR in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area. With over five years of experience, she specializes in business development, marketing, and brand design. She earned her BA in Business Administration and Management from Mount St. Joseph University. She also holds a SEMRUSH for Digital Agencies Certification, an SEO for Social Media Certification, and a Social Media Marketing Strategy: TikTok and Instagram Reels Certification.

Kasey Dunn

Social Media Expert

Expert Answer

You can report them on the app by going to the fake account and selecting "Report Account."

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Question

How can I verify that I'm following a legit celebrity Instagram account?

Community Answer

There will usually be a verified icon (blue check) on their profile. If there isn't one, look at their posts and see if they look official or not. An official celebrity account's content will be personal and unique. They may talk directly to their audience and show daily photos of their personal life as well as upcoming events they are involved in. A fake (unofficial) account will either be blank, or the only photos/videos will be random or generic (that can be found on other sites) without descriptions. They may also act out-of-character such as randomly asking people for money (which is a scam).

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I did a Google image of this person, and it came up with no results. What would that mean?

Community Answer

It could just mean their profile photo is original and hasn't been uploaded anywhere else.

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Question

I had a person posing as Frankie Valli ask me for money. Is this real?

Community Answer

No, it's definitely fake, especially when the account is not verified. No celebrity will be asking random people for money. It is a scam. Report it and don't do anything with that person.

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Question

Can we find out the admin of an Instagram account?

Community Answer

Only if they reveal who they are. Otherwise, no. If they don't reveal their face or other identifying characteristics, you probably can't tell who owns the account.

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How can you tell if someone is impersonating a celebrity?

Community Answer

They won't have a blue checkmark symbol on their profile and their posts/comments won't sound real. Also look at their posts. If all the photos of them are copied-and-pasted from other places, it's likely to be fake. Real celebrity accounts often share personal moments and casual photos and vlogs of themselves you can't find elsewhere. A real celebrity will also never ask random people for their personal information.

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