8 Ways To Spot Fake Instagram Accounts [+Tips To Stay Safe]

In 2020, Instagram had an estimated 95 million fake bot accounts, accounting for 9.5% of its monthly users

Instagram has become one of the most popular social media platforms in recent years, with over a billion users worldwide. However, with its popularity also comes the rise of fake accounts. These accounts can be created for various purposes, such as spamming, phishing, or even identity theft. That’s why it’s essential to know how to spot fake Instagram accounts and stay safe.

In this blog post, we will discuss the signs of a fake Instagram account, the potential risks of interacting with them, and provide some tips on how to stay safe on Instagram.

Here’s a quick overview of the contents of this blog:

• What Is A Fake Instagram Account?
• Why Do People Create Fake Instagram Accounts?
• Why Is The Number Of Fake Instagram Accounts Growing?
• 8 Ways To Spot Fake Instagram Accounts
• How To Report A Fake Instagram Account?
• Tips To Stay Safe From Fake Accounts On Instagram
• Spot Fake Instagram Accounts Like A Pro!

You can directly jump to a section of your choice or keep scrolling.

What Is A Fake Instagram Account?

A fake Instagram account is a malicious account on Instagram that is not created by the person whose identity is being used. These accounts are also called “imposter accounts” or “fake profiles.”

Typically, the person who creates the fake account uses another person’s name, photos, and other personal information to deceive others into thinking they are the person being impersonated. However, impersonation is not the only reason people create fake accounts for.

Fake Instagram accounts can be created for various reasons. Some people create them for fun or as a prank, while others may use them for more malicious purposes, such as spreading false information or harassing others. Sometimes, people may also create fake accounts to follow or spy on others without revealing their true identity.

Creating fake Instagram accounts is against Instagram’s terms of service, and it can have serious consequences, such as account suspension or legal action.

Why Is The Number Of Fake Instagram Accounts Growing?

The rise of fake Instagram accounts can be attributed to factors such as:

• The desire for popularity and attention: Many people create fake accounts to gain followers and boost their online presence. They may use these accounts to post flattering photos and videos or to engage with other users in a way that makes them seem more popular or interesting than they really are.

• The need for anonymity: Some people create fake accounts to express themselves anonymously or to engage in activities that they would not want to be associated with their real-life identities. This includes things like posting controversial content or trolling other users.

• Financial gain: Some people create fake accounts to make money. They may sell fake followers to other users or use their accounts to promote products or services.

• Malicious intent: Some people create fake accounts to spread malware or phishing scams. They also use these accounts to impersonate other users or to harass or bully others.

Why Do People Create Fake Instagram Accounts?

There are several reasons why people create fake accounts on Instagram. It’s important to know these reasons so you can be cautious and take the necessary action to help keep Instagram safe for everyone.

Anonymity

Some fake account owners may want to stay anonymous and thus create fake accounts to hide their true identity. This could be due to various reasons, such as not wanting to reveal their personal information, avoiding cyberbullying, or maintaining privacy.

Impersonation

Fake accounts can be used to steal your identity by using your name and personal information to create an account. This can be used to impersonate you and post false information that can damage your reputation.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullies can create fake accounts to harass or bully you anonymously. They can post hurtful comments or send you direct messages with abusive language. This can have a negative impact on your mental health and well-being.

Catfishing

Catfishing is a form of online fraud where someone creates a fake account to lure people into relationships or friendships. This could be done for various reasons, such as seeking attention or validation or scamming people for money.

Spamming

Some fake accounts are created to spam other users with promotional or malicious content, such as spam messages or phishing links, in an ode to steal their personal information or benefit themselves financially.

Testing

Some people create fake accounts to test Instagram’s features or to experiment with different strategies for growing their followers.

8 Simple Ways To Spot Fake Instagram Accounts

The first step in staying safe on Instagram is to learn how to spot fake accounts. Here are some signs to look out for:

• Zero or very few posts
• Irrelevant posts and comments
• Incomplete profile information
• Poor follower-following ratio
• Absurd username
• Private account
• Generic or stock photos used as profile pictures
• Promotional DMs and posts

Zero Or Very Few Posts

An Instagram account with no or very few posts could potentially be a fake account because many fake accounts are created with the intention of scamming or spamming users. These fake accounts may use stolen photos or images from other users to make the account appear legitimate.

By not posting any or only a few posts, the account may be trying to avoid detection by Instagram’s automated spam filters or may be waiting to gain more followers before starting to post spam or scam content.

Furthermore, some fake accounts may be created as part of a larger scheme to boost the number of followers or likes for another account. These fake accounts are often created in bulk and are used solely for the purpose of following other users or liking their posts in the hopes of gaining more followers in return.

Tip: If you come across an Instagram account with no or very few posts, avoid engaging with it at any level. Check the account’s followers and engagement levels, as well as any comments or messages the account may have sent you. Be wary of any suspicious or unsolicited messages, and report any suspicious accounts to Instagram.

Irrelevant Content And Comments

Fake accounts often post content that is either irrelevant to the account’s supposed purpose or suspicious in nature. For example, a fashion account that suddenly starts posting about cryptocurrencies is likely to be fake. Similarly, an account that posts too frequently about questionable content, such as adult content, is likely to be fake.

Some fake accounts on Instagram are created to send spam messages or phishing links to users. The irrelevant content on the account could be a way to lure people in and make the account appear more legitimate.

You may also have noticed irrelevant, spammy comments from bot accounts on the posts from accounts you follow. These spam comments can harm an account with irrelevant word vomit and can make an authentic account look less legitimate.

Tip: If you come across an Instagram account with supposedly irrelevant content, it’s best not to interact with it. Do not like, comment on, or share any of its posts, and clicking any links from it is a big no. Engaging with fake accounts could put your own account and personal information at risk.

Incomplete or Inadequate Profile Information

Incomplete profile information is one of the first and clearest indicators of a fake Instagram account. A fake account owner may not want to reveal their true identity, so they may not fill out their profile information completely. This can make it harder for others to identify them or determine their true intentions.

Sometimes, a fake account owner may try to make their account look more legitimate by filling out only some of the profile information, such as the name or location. This can make it easier for the account to attract followers or appear in search results.

However, fake Instagram account owners often leave the profile information incomplete. Blank bios, missing account names, or profile pictures are common occurrences on fake Instagram accounts.

Obviously, not all accounts that lack profile information are fake, as people can be lazy to fill in those details, but if you see most of these signs in an account, you better stay away from it as it could be fake.

Tip: If an Instagram account has an incomplete or vague profile, it’s important to be cautious. Don’t share personal information or engage with the account until you’re certain it’s legitimate. Look for indicators of account authenticity and avoid any activity with it if you find it suspicious.

Poor Follower-Following Ratio

An unusual follower-to-following ratio could also signify a fake account. If an account has many followers but follows very few people or has very few or zero followers but follows a large number of accounts, it is potentially a fake account. The account might be created only to follow certain accounts to increase their follower count.

Either way, the follower-following rate will be skeptical as they don’t really engage with people, and their sole purpose is to follow other accounts.

Some Instagram users purchase followers to make their account appear more popular than it actually is. However, these followers are often fake or inactive, which can result in a low engagement rate and poor follower-following ratio. Unfortunately, Instagram doesn’t help users differentiate accounts that bought followers from those that genuinely gained followers.

Tip: If an Instagram account has a very low follower-following ratio (i.e., it has many more followers than it is following or vice versa), it could be a sign that the account is fake or has been artificially inflated. Note that it’s also possible that the account owner simply hasn’t been using the platform actively or has a very specific niche audience. If you find most of the indicators mentioned in this guide in an account, it is most likely a fake account.

Absurd Username

For the past few months, I’ve noticed many Instagram accounts with absurd usernames that contain randomly arranged letters and numbers that don’t seem logical. These accounts also do not have a profile picture and bio and have nil account activity. I suggest you note the username carefully when you suspect an Instagram account could be fake. Here’s why!

Some fake Instagram accounts are created by bots or automated scripts. These accounts may be assigned random or illogical usernames as a way to quickly generate a large number of accounts and execute the malicious activities they were created for.

Such an account may be trying to hide its true intent or motive by deceiving users with a random fake username. Accounts with weird usernames may want to mimic the usernames of real people or brands in order to dupe others.

For example, a fake account impersonating a popular celebrity may use an absurd username that is similar to the celebrity’s real username and attempt to trick fans into following the fake account.

Private Account

Many fake Instagram accounts are set to private because it makes it harder for people to identify that they are fake. When an account is set as private, only approved followers can see the content on the account, if any.

This means that people who stumble upon the account and are not already following it will not be able to see any of the content, including the profile picture and the posts.

By setting the account to private, fake Instagram account creators can also control who is allowed to follow them. This allows them to be more selective about who sees their content and who interacts with them. It can also make the account appear more exclusive and desirable, which can attract more followers.

Another reason why fake Instagram accounts are often set to private is that it allows the creators to hide the activity from Instagram algorithms and moderation teams. By limiting the number of people who can see the content, they may avoid detection and continue the malicious activities for a longer period of time.

Generic Or Stock Photos Used As Profile Pictures

Fake accounts often use generic or stock photos as their profile pictures. This is because they don’t want to use a real picture that could potentially be traced back to them. X-rated content and profiles are often associated with spam and bots.

Such acounts are used to attract people to increase followers through online fantasy or role-playing. If an account has a profile picture that looks too good to be true or is a generic image, it’s worth being cautious.

Some fake accounts use X-rated and NSFW images as profile pictures to lure others into engaging with them for malicious purposes. Such accounts may be operated by scammers, hackers, or individuals with ill intent.

Promotional DMs And Posts

For similar objectives mentioned in the above tips, fake Instagram accounts send promotional DMs that end up in the Requests section of the inbox and post promotional content on their feeds, luring people by giving them free money or gifts.

Did you observe the “I’m giving away $50,000 to the first 25 people that DM me HELP”-like messages in the comments section and DMs? These are from bots trying to scam people by offering free payment with credit card details in exchange. Sadly though, people fall prey to such scammers and end up getting their accounts hacked.

Some fake account owners use promotional DMs as a way to spam or phish for personal information. They might ask for your email address or password in exchange for a promotional offer that could put your account and personal information address.

How To Report A Fake Instagram Account?

Follow the below steps to report fake Instagram accounts:

Step 1: Go to the profile of the fake account that you want to report

Step 2: Tap the three dots located in the top right corner of the screen

Step 3: Select “Report” from the dropdown menu

Step 4: Choose the reason for your report from the options provided. If you believe the account is fake, select “It’s a fake account.”

Step 5: Follow the instructions to provide additional information about the account, such as why you think it’s fake

Step 6: Tap “Report” to submit your report to Instagram

Instagram will review the account and take appropriate action if necessary. Note that while you can report an account for being fake, Instagram may not remove the account unless it violates the platform’s terms of service, such as by engaging in spam or other abusive behavior.

Tips To Stay Safe From Fake Accounts On Instagram

Follow these Instagram tips to stay safe from fake Instagram accounts:

1. Before following or interacting with an account, check its profile information, including its profile picture, username, and bio. Fake accounts often have incomplete or inconsistent information.

2. Check the account’s activity, such as the number of posts, followers, and following. Fake accounts often have very few posts and followers and follow many accounts.

3. Check for verification badges on the account. Verified accounts are more likely to be legitimate and belong to real people or organizations.

4. Avoid clicking on links in direct messages or comments from unknown or suspicious accounts. These links could lead to phishing sites or malware downloads.

5. Use Instagram’s “Block” feature to block fake accounts from following or interacting with you. This helps to keep the platform safe for everyone.

6. Avoid engaging with suspicious accounts or responding to their messages. This could lead to them trying to scam or hack you.

7. Stay up-to-date on the latest Instagram scams and fake account trends. This can help you to recognize and avoid them.

8. Last but not least, use common sense and trust your instincts. If an account seems suspicious or too good to be true, it probably is.

Spot Fake Instagram Accounts Like A Pro!

With the number of fake accounts active on the platform and Instagram's negligible action of such accounts, Instagram can be hell for users who can’t tell them from authentic ones.

However, with the above tips on identifying fake Instagram accounts in mind, you can prevent potential information loss, getting scammed, or falling prey to accounts with ill intent.

As a user, the onus is on you to keep yourself and your near and dear ones safe by staying up-to-date and aware of the scams happening on the platform.

Always follow these rules when on Instagram:

• Never click on links in DMs from unknown sources
• Do not engage with suspicious accounts
• Report any fake account you come across

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