To report a fake Instagram account using your brand, open the profile, tap the three dots, choose Report, then Report account, select "It's pretending to be someone else" and pick "A business or organisation". If your brand doesn't have an Instagram account, use the impersonation form in the Instagram Help Center instead. If the account also uses your registered logo or your product photos, file an intellectual property report too, because Instagram reviews impersonation and IP through separate processes.
Is it impersonation, or something else?
Instagram asks one question about impersonation: could people reasonably believe this account is your brand? Picking the right route first saves you a rejected report.
- Account poses as your brand (your name, logo, "official" or "support" in the bio): impersonation report
- Account uses your registered trademark to sell or promote products: trademark report
- Account reposts your product photos, videos or campaign content: copyright report
- Account sells counterfeits through posts or a link in bio: trademark report, plus a report on the shop it links to
- Fan, review or reseller account that clearly says it's unofficial: usually not reportable
Many fake accounts do several of these at once. In that case, file the impersonation report and the IP report together.
What to capture before you report
Fake accounts often change their handle, delete posts or switch their link once they've been reported, so save everything first:
- the profile URL, handle and display name
- screenshots of the profile picture, bio and recent posts
- Stories, which disappear after 24 hours
- the link in bio, and the page it leads to
- comments or DMs from customers who thought the account was yours
- the date you found it
If the account leads off Instagram to a fake shop, our guide to capturing fake shop evidence covers what to keep.
How to report it in the app
- Open the fake account's profile.
- Tap the three dots in the top right corner.
- Tap Report, then Report account.
- Select "It's pretending to be someone else".
- Select "A business or organisation" and choose your official account.
- Submit the report.
How to report it without an Instagram account
If your brand isn't on Instagram, or you're reporting on a client's behalf, use the Report an Impersonation Account form in the Instagram Help Center. The same form covers Threads.
You'll need your official website or account URL, the fake account's URL, and proof that you represent the business. Instagram may ask for ID to confirm who you are.
When to file a trademark or copyright report instead
An impersonation report removes an account for pretending to be you. It doesn't cover an account that uses your logo to sell products without claiming to be you, or one that reposts your campaign content. For those, use Instagram's intellectual property reporting forms:
- Trademark report: for your brand name or logo used to sell, promote or mislead. You'll need your trademark registration details.
- Copyright report: for your photos, videos or written content used without permission.
Brands that own an active registered trademark can also apply for Meta's Brand Rights Protection tool through Meta Business Suite. It lets rights holders search for and report infringing content across Instagram and Facebook at scale. The application has to come from an employee of the brand, using a personal Facebook account linked to the brand's business portfolio, and the brand needs a clean record on IP violations.
How to track your report
In the app, open Settings, then Help, then Support requests to see the status of your reports. Keep a record of the date and outcome of each one, especially if the same operator comes back under a new handle.
Why Instagram reports get rejected
Most rejected reports come down to the wrong category, a report that only says the name is "similar", no proof you represent the brand, or an account that changed before anyone reviewed it. Our guide to why takedown requests get rejected or ignored covers how to fix each one.
When one report isn't enough
One fake account is a reporting task. Five accounts across Instagram, TikTok and X, all linking to the same fake shop, is an operation. That's where Remove.tech helps. We monitor social platforms, marketplaces and search for accounts using your brand, capture the evidence, file each case under the right route, and track it until it's removed. For a view of every platform in one place, see our platform-by-platform guide to removing fake brand accounts.
Want to see how many accounts are using your brand right now? Get a free brand audit.
FAQ
Can I report a fake Instagram account if my brand isn't on Instagram?
Yes. Use the impersonation form in the Instagram Help Center. You don't need an account.
How long does Instagram take to review a report?
Instagram doesn't publish a set timeframe. You can follow progress under Support requests in the app.
Does a verified badge stop impersonation?
No. Verification helps customers spot your real account, but it doesn't detect or remove fake ones.
Is a fan account impersonation?
Only if it could mislead people into thinking it's official. A fan account that clearly says it's unofficial usually stays up.
