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Identity theft and fake accounts

Identity Theft and Fake Accounts

Many people share personal information about themselves online without realizing how dangerous this can actually be. Because so much information is shared through social media profiles and is often publicly accessible, criminals can easily collect and analyze it. This information can reveal your place of residence or, in the worst case, even your address. Criminals can then use it to steal your identity, act in your name, or create fake profiles. Much of the information or content you share online is publicly accessible and therefore not difficult to obtain.

The good news: You can protect yourself against this! Here, we explain exactly how.

What Is Identity Theft?

Identity theft occurs when someone uses another person’s personal information (for example, information from a public Instagram profile) without their permission — usually to harm someone, make money, or deceive other people.

Identity theft can take many different forms. The most common examples include:

  • Name / username (example: Osterei123 — fake account: Osterei123_)

  • Profile picture or photos

  • Email address (spoofing — a method of online fraud in which criminals disguise their identity — is also possible, although it is considerably more difficult than spoofing a phone number)

  • Phone number (spoofing)

  • Place of residence or other personal information

  • Content from social media

  • Account login credentials

What Are Fake Accounts?

Fake accounts are online accounts that, in most cases, do not represent the real identity of a particular person. However, it is also possible for someone to misuse your identity against your will in order to make a profit. This is known as identity theft.

Not every fake account is automatically dangerous or intended to harm other people. Some people — including journalists, well-known political figures, and private individuals — deliberately use pseudonyms online to protect their identity and themselves.

It becomes problematic when someone:

  • deliberately pretends to be a real person

  • uses someone else’s pictures or personal information

  • deliberately deceives or manipulates others

  • sends messages in someone else’s name

  • scams or harasses people

How Do Fake Accounts or Identity Theft Happen?

Especially nowadays, criminals have an easy time: Many people underestimate the risks associated with posting “just” posts, stories, or other information about themselves. Criminals can collect exactly this kind of information and, over time, piece it together like a puzzle. This can provide the foundation for identity theft.

Even if you only share small pieces of information about yourself, they can reveal a lot when combined and potentially be used to create a fake profile of you. Scary, right?

How Can I Recognize a Fake Account?

Fake accounts are not always easy to identify. However, there are some warning signs that may indicate that a profile is fake:

  • The profile appears incomplete or was created recently.

  • The person asks for gifts or money, or tells you not to tell anyone about the message.

  • There are hardly any genuine posts or followers.

  • The account follows more profiles than it has followers.

  • You receive messages from someone using unnatural or extreme urgency.

Example: “Hey, could you please send me your phone number?? I lost access to WhatsApp and urgently need a verification code that will be sent to your phone. Please hurry, it’s only valid for 60 seconds!!!”

What Can Happen and What Can I Do About It?

Identity theft and fake profiles can have serious consequences. Even if you are not the person behind the account, they can cause significant harm to you personally. Friendships and relationships may suffer, misunderstandings and rumors can arise, and other people may be scammed or manipulated.

That is exactly why it is important to take action — regardless of whether the account was created by you or by someone else pretending to be you.

Here’s how you can help yourself or someone else:

  1. Take screenshots of profiles, received messages, and links. It is important that the entire screen is visible in the screenshot — do not use cropped screenshots.

  2. Report the profile on the relevant platforms and directly to us using our reporting form.

  3. Secure your account or device and check whether you have two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled in your account security settings.

  4. Seek support — there is nothing wrong with talking to someone about what happened!

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