5 Ways to Spot Fake Instagram Accounts ( How to Block Them)

 5 Ways to Spot Fake Instagram Accounts ( How to Block Them)

1.Whether it's a spammy bio or an eerily similar username to an account you already follow, there are tons of fake Instagram accounts popping up every day. 

2.And while Instagram frequently removes bots and fake accounts, hundreds still slip through the cracks. 

So, how can you tell which accounts are real and which are fake? 

3.We're sharing five red flags to look out for when trying to identify a fake Instagram account — plus, how to block it when you do.

 

Table of Contents

• 5 Ways to Tell if an Instagram Account Is Fake
• How to Block a Fake Instagram Account
•  

 5 Ways to Tell if an Instagram Account Is Fake

From scammers to bots, here are five ways to sniff out fake Instagram accounts: 

1.      Inconsistent (Or Copied) Bio

2.      Spammy DMs

3.      Random Comments on Posts

4.      Offers Money or Promotes a Product/Service

5.      Follows a Lot of Accounts 

 

#1: Inconsistent (Or Copied) Bio

1.Fake Instagram accounts will often copy their bio from a real one — with a few changes and inconsistencies.

2.Pay attention to the characters in their username. There’s usually an extra letter, number, or symbol added to the bio — like this account that impersonated Mahdi Woodard.

#2: Spammy DMs

1.Fake Instagram accounts will often slide into your DMs pretending to be a reputable brand.

2.They'll send you a generic message, and will encourage you to either visit another website or DM someone else with your information:

3.These accounts typically offer sexual or explicit content, crypto schemes, cash sales, brand partnerships, or even retail scams in their bio.

 

#3: Random Comments on Posts

1.If an account frequently leaves comments unrelated to the content of your post (or random emojis), they're likely fake.

2.If you’re still unsure, peruse their profile and check the comments on their posts to see who’s engaging with the account. 

3.Do the comments on their posts seem authentic? Are they selling or promoting something? Are they repetitive or using all caps?

#4: Offers Money or Promotes a Product/Service

1.Fake Instagram accounts will often offer users the opportunity to make quick cash or win free products.

2.They'll lure you in to get your personal information and then potentially hack you.

#5: Follows a Lot of Accounts

1.A fake Instagram account needs followers to seem legitimate.

2.And most will use the outdated #FollowForFollow method in an attempt to get people to follow them back. 

3.If you come across an account that has a small number of followers but a large following, it’s likely fake.

How to Block a Fake Instagram Account

So, now that you’ve learned how to spot them, the question is how can you protect your account and block the fake ones? 

Here are two main ways to block a fake account on Instagram:

1.      Block and Report Them via Their Profile

2.      Block and Report Them via DMs

#1: Block and Report Them via Their Profile

1.If a fake Instagram account has left a comment on your post, first click on their profile:

2.Then select the three dots in the top right corner of their profile, and tap "Block":

3.You'll then be prompted to either:

·         Block the account and other accounts they may have/create

·         Block the account

 

#2: Block and Report Them via DMs

1.When a fake account sends you a DM, it'll usually appear in the Requests tab in your Inbox.

2.Click on the message from the account, and you'll be prompted to either block, delete, or accept their request:

3.Similar to blocking them via their profile, tap "Block", and then "Block account".