Buzz
It’s well-known that Instagram is filled with fake profiles, bots, and impersonators. Just glance at the comment section of any viral post and you’ll find it overrun with scam accounts and fake influencers. But some fake accounts are much more sophisticated, blending in seamlessly and making it hard to determine if they're genuine or just out to deceive you.
Many of these fraudulent accounts offer some kind of ‘service’ that requires personal details or a purchase, ranging from harmless requests (like your email or phone number for spam lists) to more risky asks (such as verification codes or banking info). Some are so well-crafted that traditional methods—such as checking profile photos, post frequency, follower ratios, and overall app activity—might not always help you spot a fake. Thankfully, there’s a better approach to uncovering these accounts.
Signs of a Fake Instagram Profile
On an Instagram profile, you can click the three dots to open a menu with options. From there, select 'about this account' to find three essential pieces of information provided by Instagram. The first is the 'date joined.' Fake accounts are often quite new, as scammers typically create fresh profiles after being caught. The definition of 'new' varies depending on the account’s purpose, but if an account is under a year old, it could be a warning sign.
Another key factor to check is the 'account based in' field. As shown in the video from Instagrammer Openigloo, this detail can be revealing. For instance, if an account promoting New York City rentals is marked as being based in Nigeria, that’s a major red flag. (Also, note that some scammers opt not to share their account location in settings, so be aware of that and any other suspicious signs.)
The final piece of information to examine is the 'former usernames' section. This might be the most telling. While it’s possible for a new account to be legitimate, pairing the 'date joined' with 'former usernames' can provide deeper insight into the account’s history. Scammers often change their username after being exposed, and if an account has changed its username multiple times, it’s another reason to remain cautious.
Though these three data points won’t necessarily prove whether an account is fake, they are definitely worth considering before trusting it with your personal information.
