How to Report a Fake Instagram Account

Using the Web Form (Most Effective)

Go to https://help.instagram.com/contact/636276399721841 in a web browser. If somebody on Instagram is pretending to be you or somebody you represent (such as your child), filling out this form is the most effective way to report the account. If you want to report an account that is impersonating a celebrity, organization, or public figure, report it through the mobile app. If somebody is pretending to be your friend, have your friend fill out the form instead.

Select the option that best describes your situation. You'll need to choose whether someone created a fake account for you or for your child. If you selected "Somebody created an account pretending to be me or a friend," choose "Yes, I am the person being impersonated" to continue.

Enter your name and email address into the first two fields. Even if you're reporting an account for your child, you'll need to enter your own name into the top field.

Enter the name and relationship if you're reporting for somebody else. If you are reporting for your child or somebody else who has authorized you to make the report, you'll have to provide your relationship to the person, such as "Authorized representative" or "parent of child," as well as that person's real name. If that person has their own Instagram account already, enter that into the "The Instagram username of the person being impersonated" field.

Enter information about the imposter. You'll be asked for two pieces of information related to the fake account: In the "The full name listed on the account that you're reporting" field, type the name the imposter uses in their profile (if they entered one). This is not the username—instead, it's whatever the person added as their name in their bio. In the next field, type the Instagram username used by the imposter.

Take a photo of yourself (or your child) holding up ID. Any form of government ID will work, including a driver's license, birth certificate, passport, visa, or tribal identification card. You can take the photo with your phone and then email it to yourself if you're using a computer. If you don't have government ID, you can hold up two other forms of ID, such as a library card, bank statement, check, credit card, transit card, paycheck stub, utility bill, diploma, or school ID card. For a full list of accepted ID forms, see https://help.instagram.com/271237319690904.

Click Choose Files and upload the photo. This adds the photo to the form.

Click Send to submit your report. Instagram will review your report and contact you if further information is needed. If they determine that somebody is impersonating you or the person you represent, they will delete the fake account.

Using the Mobile App (Fastest)

Go to the profile of the person who's pretending to be you. Reporting an account in the Instagram app is less effective than using the web form, as you can't provide any proof or specific information. But you can still submit a quick report to Instagram through the app, and they'll use "technology or a review team" (according to the app) to investigate the situation. This method is better if you want to report an account that's impersonating a celebrity or avoid scams and report a fake account created to scam people. If you're reporting somebody who is impersonating you or your child, use the web form, not the mobile app.

Tap the three dots at the top-right and choose Report. This displays a few reporting options.

Tap Report Account. It's the last option.

Tap It's pretending to be someone else. Now you'll see several options for reporting.

Choose who the account is reporting. While you won't be able to provide any proof that the person is impersonating an account, the option you choose can help Instagram investigate the issue and disable the account if they think it's suspicious. For example, you can select A celebrity or public figure if somebody is impersonating somebody famous, but you won't be able to specify who they are impersonating.

Tap Submit Report. It's the blue button at the bottom of the screen. This submits the report to Instagram. Depending on what their technology or support team finds, they may disable the account.