Social Media Impersonation Scams: Fake Profiles and Cloned Accounts
A cloned account copies your photos and name, then asks your friends for money or to click links.
How it works
Criminals copy public profile information, create a new account and send friend requests to your contacts, followed by urgent requests.
What to do if you are cloned
- Warn friends through other channels.
- Report the profile to the platform.
- Make your friends list private.
- Turn on two-factor authentication on your real account.
If a friend messages oddly
Contact them by another method and do not click links or send money.
Key takeaway: Verify odd messages from friends by another channel and keep your friends list private.
