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How to delete impersonated instagram account


How to take down an Instagram account

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Instagram has grown from a niche photo-sharing platform into one of the most popular social media platforms, with over 2 billion monthly active users in 2021.

With the popularity of the platform, many businesses are now looking at Instagram as their primary online marketing channel: it’s the place where they work with influencers to promote their product, get user-generated reviews, and more.

Yet, it’s quite obvious that the fact that there are many businesses being active on Instagram also invites many bad actors looking to take advantage of the situation. 

While Instagram has been very active in combating cybercriminals and scammers on the platform, unfortunately, it’s still not good enough. There are still many fake accounts impersonating famous people and well-known brands, and bad actors can then use these fake accounts to:

  • Selling fake products, claiming to be a legitimate brand offering ‘special discount. ’
  • Scam others, for example, by sending a link to phishing scams
  • Post derogatory content to damage the reputation of the company the account is impersonating.

And more.

So, if you are a legitimate brand and your brand identity is assumed by a fake account, what can you do about it?

In this guide, we will explore your options, especially how to take down these fake Instagram accounts via reporting.

Let us begin.

The legality of fake Instagram accounts: How Instagram handles trademarks

Is creating a fake Instagram account impersonating another person or organization legal? The short answer is no, it’s illegal, and if you are a registered trademark owner, Instagram is obligated to follow the U.S. federal trademark laws and potentially other relevant trademark laws in your location.

This simply means trademark infringement is strictly prohibited on Instagram, so if you found your brand being impersonated by others (so technically, they have stolen your trademark), you have the right to report this account, and Instagram is obligated to take action.

Instagram also adheres to the common law trademark rights, so it can ban accounts that perform infringements on unregistered trademarks, potentially including individual identity. 

So, even if you haven’t or can’t register your trademark yet (i.e., you can’t register an individual name unless you are already famous), you can still take action against these fake accounts impersonating your identity.

Due to the visual nature of Instagram, trademark infringements can happen in a wide variety of different ways: logos, brand names, product design, and so on.

Here are some examples of acts on Instagram that may be considered legal trademark infringement:

  • Fake accounts using your brand logo and brand name in their Instagram post or Instagram ads.
  • The usage of your slogan in a video ad
  • Facebook profiles using your name, logo, and slogan in their design

Identifying impersonation attempts on Instagram

There are billions of Instagram accounts available today, so finding one or two accounts using your logos, name, or brand images can be easier said than done.

With that being said, here are some approaches you can try when attempting to find out whether someone is impersonating you:

1. Search on Instagram

The first (and the easiest) thing you should do is to search for your name or brand’s name on the Instagram platform. You may also try searching for phrase variations, typos (i.e., Gogle instead of Google), and so on. Instagram will then show the search result listing all the accounts using your brand name.

Try reviewing these accounts one by one. Remember that just because an account has the same name similar/the same to your brand name doesn’t necessarily mean it’s made with a malicious intent to impersonate you. You can evaluate other factors, like the content they are posting (i.e., if they are copying your feeds, it’s a definite impersonation), where they claim they are located, interactions with others, and so on.

Keep in mind that accounts that are created with malicious intent tend to block the legitimacy of the brand, so you may try using another account (i. e., your personal account) to perform the search. Also, try different spellings and variations of names.

2. Search via hashtags

You can leverage Instagram’s search algorithm and try using hashtags in your search to find fake Instagram accounts. This is especially effective when the fake account is using the account to sell products since, typically, they’ll use product-specific hashtags. 

However, you’ll need to be creative and meticulous when using this approach since, in practice, branded/product-specific hashtags are also used by legitimate consumers, resellers, and vendors.

While this approach can be very effective when done right, keep in mind that it can be very time-consuming to do.

3. Reverse image search

You can also perform a reverse image search (i.e., via Google Images) to check whether there are accounts that posted your photos or photos of your product/logo on Instagram. As you can see, this process can also be time-consuming.

4. Invest in a real-time Instagram impersonation monitoring solution

If you want to quickly identify fake accounts impersonating your brand and take action ASAP, then the best approach is to invest in an  Instagram impersonation report and removal tool like Red Points. Red Points can reliably scan through hundreds of Instagram profiles and web pages and quickly produce reliable and accurate results in just a matter of minutes.

By using Red Points, you effectively eliminate the need to perform manual searches, so you can quickly take action and report these fake accounts as soon as possible.

Check out how you can protect your brand on Instagram with Red Points

How to take down Instagram account: Step-by-Step

1. By using your desktop/web app

  • Step 1: Open your computer browser and then type https://help.instagram.com/contact/636276399721841 on the address bar.
  • Step 2: you’ll be given several options to describe your situation. Since you are reporting a fake account, you can choose the option “Someone created an account pretending to be someone I represent)
  • Step 3: fill out your information on the given form. Even if you are reporting an account abuse for your sild, fill out the form with your own name and personal details.
  • Step 4: You’ll need to specify your relationship to the person being impersonated. If you are reporting your own Instagram account, then you can click on “The Instagram username of the person being impersonated.” Alternatively, you can choose other options like “Authorized representative” depending on your business’s type and other factors
  • Step 5: You’ll need to submit information about the fake account. In the “The full name listed on the account that you’re reporting” field, type the name used as the profile’s name in its bio and not the username. Input the username in the next field.
  • Step 6: You’ll need to take a photo of yourself holding up an accepted ID. You can use any form of government ID here: passport, visa, driver’s license, and even birth certificate, among others. If you don’t have a government ID, you can hold up two IDs like a school ID card and a bank statement. Check the full list of accepted ID forms here. Make sure that both your face and the ID are visible in the photo. Once you’re done, click “Choose Files” and upload the photo.
  • Step 7: Click Send and submit your report.

Voila, you’ve successfully submitted your complaint form. Instagram will review your submission and may contact you if they require more information. Instagram usually replies within 24 to 48 hours via email and will delete the fake account if your request if approved.

2. By using a mobile app

Note: it’s typically more effective to submit the form via the web/desktop app, and you can’t provide any proof via the mobile app. However, the process is easier and faster when using a mobile app.

  • Step 1: Go to the fake profile/account that impersonates you or your brand.  
  • Step 2: Tap the three dots at the top-right and choose “Report,” you’ll be provided with several options. Click on “Report Account.”
  • Step 3: On the next set of options, tap “It’s pretending to be someone else”
  • Step 4: Choose who the account is impersonating. You can select “a business or organization” if the account is currently impersonating your brand. 
  • Step 5: Tap “Submit Report”

As you can see, you won’t be able to provide any proof, and you can’t specify who the account is impersonating when you are reporting from the mobile app, but the process is much easier. You can, however, use this option to submit a quick report, and you may follow up with another report from your desktop/web app later.

However, a mobile report can still be effective, and Instagram may disable the fake account if they are able to gather enough findings.

Reporting impersonation of a business page

If your brand owns a legitimate Instagram Business page, then reporting the fake profile and getting it taken down is much easier. You can use the Instagram trademark infringement form to report the fake account using your trademarks.

You’ll need to provide proof of ownership and prepare the required documents to prove that your registered trademarks have been infringed. Having screenshots and other proof showing the account infringing your trademarks may also help.

Typically you’ll be required to submit a copy of your registration certificate that is able to prove ownership of the business/brand name that’s being used by the bad actor on the fake account.

Once you’ve submitted this proof of ownership and other relevant proof, Instagram will review the report to determine whether or not a trademark infringement has occurred. This report will serve as your official DMCA takedown request, and once it’s approved, Instagram will ensure the account is taken down, and all content is removed.

What if you don’t hear back?

If you submit the Instagram trademark infringement form and don’t hear any response after 48 hours, don’t panic. First things first, try resubmitting the form. There’s always the possibility of technical errors, and so your form is not received. If there’s any change to the situation, you may also want to update the information first before resubmitting the form.

If the second form is ignored again, then you can try emailing Instagram’s support team. There may be underlying circumstances causing this delay, for example, if the support team requires more time to evaluate whether the infringement actually occurred. The support team may also ask for further information and proof before they can approve the report.

Finding out the culprit

Can you find out who made the fake account and take the necessary action?

Unfortunately, this can be quite challenging to do since Instagram will not reveal the identity of the bad actor for privacy purposes. Instagram also will not give you access to the fake account even after it’s taken down. 

So, you’ll need to be proactive and take things on your own. Here are some tips you can use to find the culprit behind the fake account: 

  • Try reaching out to the contact information provided on the Instagram bio. Communicate with them and ask for contact information that can be used to trace them. For example, if they are selling counterfeit products, you may ask them to deliver the goods that may contain their address.
  • If they have any URL in the bio, open the website or app, and trace the contact details. The contact information listed on the website may be able to help you find the culprit.

If the impersonation attempt has caused you any kind of financial loss or otherwise, it might be worth it to pursue the real culprit and take legal action. Red Points can help provide the data needed to file an official complaint in the event of legal disputes.

Protecting your trademark on Instagram with Red Points

Red Points’ advanced brand protection software is designed to help brands protect their online reputation and the integrity of their trademarks, copyrights, and other forms of intellectual property.

Red Points will automatically scan the web 24/7 to monitor and protect from trademark infringements in real-time. By identifying infringements and brand abuse attempts as early as possible, you can stop bad actors from misusing your trademarks before they can cause any significant damage to your finances and reputation.

While dealing with trademark infringement on Instagram and taking down fake accounts can be quite complex, Red Points can help in gathering evidence and automatically sending takedown notices.

More like this on:

Instagram Help Center

If someone created an Instagram account that's pretending to be you or someone you know, please use this form to file a report.

Which of the following best describes your situation?

Someone created an account for my business or organization

Someone created an account pretending to be me or a friend

Someone created an account pretending to be someone I represent (ex: my child)

I can't log into my old account

If you believe your intellectual property rights are being infringed by this account, learn how to file a report.

Is this account impersonating you?

Yes, I am the person being impersonated

No, this account is impersonating my friend

Your full name:

Your email address:

Your relationship to the person being impersonated

For example: yourself, authorized representative, your child

The full name of the person being impersonated:

The Instagram username of the person being impersonated (if applicable):

The full name listed on the account that you're reporting

You can find this next to the profile picture on the account

Instagram username of reported account:

Please only report one impersonating account at a time. To report another account, please submit another report.

If you're representing someone else who is being impersonated, have that person take a photo of themselves holding an accepted ID, ensuring that their face and the photo ID are clearly visible.

Please attach a clear photo of the person holding an accepted ID. Make sure both the person's face and the photo in the ID are clearly visible.

If possible, please save this file as a JPEG. If you're having trouble uploading the photo from a mobile device, please try submitting this form from a computer.

Note: We won't be able to process your request unless you submit an ID that meets our requirements.

Please attach a clear photo of yourself holding an accepted ID. Make sure both your face and the photo in the ID are clearly visible.

If possible, please save this file as a JPEG. If you're having trouble uploading a photo of yourself holding your ID from a mobile device, please try submitting this form from a computer.

Note: We won't be able to process your request unless you submit an ID that meets our requirements.

Upload a photo with your ID

A photo of yourself holding your ID or a photo of the person you're authorized to represent holding their ID. If possible, please save this file as a JPEG.

Note: If you're having trouble uploading files from your phone, please visit the Instagram Help Center and complete this form from a computer.

We can only act on reports from the person who's being impersonated or their authorized representative (ex: parent, legal guardian). Please ask the person being impersonated or their representative to file a report.

If you're not able to reset your password using your email address, phone number or Facebook account, you may be able to get additional help through the app:

  1. Open the Instagram app on your mobile device
  2. On the login screen, tap Get help signing in below Log In

  3. For more options:

    • On Android:

      1. Tap Use Username or Email, then enter your username or email
      2. Tap in the top right
      3. Tap Need more help? then follow the on-screen instructions

    • On iOS:

      1. Enter your username or email
      2. Tap Need more help? below Send Login Link, then follow the on-screen instructions

Additional info

temporarily or permanently from phone ▶️ Planet VPN

August 17, 2022

Instagram confidently maintains its position as one of the most popular social networks. It has over a billion users who download over 90 million posts and 500 million stories every day. Also, this platform allows you to form a loyal community around almost any business.

But at the same time, thousands of users are thinking about liquidating their profiles. The reasons for this may be different. For example, the desire to protect their personal data.

Deleting an Instagram account is not as easy as registering one. And to do this directly through the mobile application is completely impossible. The user can go in two ways: temporarily deactivate his profile or still delete it permanently.

Let's talk about each of them and tell you how to do it from a smartphone or laptop.

Instagram temporary deletion

You can temporarily disable your account only in the web version or using a browser on your smartphone.

  1. Open your page and click "Edit Profile"
  2. Scroll to the bottom and select "Temporarily disable my profile"
  3. The social network will ask you to indicate the reason for blocking (you must select from the list)
  4. Confirm action (enter password).

After that your account will be hidden. To activate it, just log into your profile. Instagram also warns that you can block your profile in this way only once a week.

Deleting a profile completely

For those who are determined and do not tolerate half measures, there is another instruction. Its execution leads to the complete deletion of the account.

Delete profile from phone:

  1. We go into the application and select "Settings", then "Help"
  2. In the "Help" menu, click "Help Center", open the next page using the browser
  3. Select "Account Management" and "Delete Account"

After you select this option, Instagram will prompt you to indicate why you made this decision. It must be selected from the drop-down list, and the action must be confirmed by entering a password. Then you need to click "Permanently delete my account."

Delete an account via the web version:

Go to Instagram. com, in the bottom horizontal menu, click "Help". In the "Help Center", select "Account Management", and then click on "Delete Account". After that, you need to indicate the reason for such a decision and confirm the action with a password - as in previous cases.

Deleting Instagram using a direct link

If the decision to say goodbye to the profile is made finally and irrevocably, you can use a special link. All you have to do is enter your account information and indicate the reason for deleting it. Depending on it, the system will offer other options for solving the problem. For example, if you use "Privacy Concerns" as the reason, it will prompt you to read articles in the Help Center about profile hijacking and the like.

To confirm the decision and say goodbye to the profile, you need to enter the password again, and then click "Permanently delete my account." After that, all the contents of your account (photos and videos, comments and likes, saved posts, etc. ) will disappear without the possibility of recovery. In addition, neither you nor anyone else will be able to re-register with the same username that was assigned to the deleted account.

Account activation during hacking

You cannot delete or disable an account without logging in. Also, you cannot ask the Instagram administration to do it for you. If you can't remember your password, or if it was changed by someone else, follow these steps to recover it.

  1. Open Instagram on your smartphone
  2. Click "Get help signing in" below the Sign In button.
  3. If you have an Android, select one of the following options: username or e-mail, send SMS or login with Facebook.
  4. If you have iOS, select "Username" or "Phone".
  5. Follow the instructions after your choice.

If you believe you have been hacked, you may not be able to use one or all of these methods, depending on how carefully the hacker altered the recovery information.

  1. Open the app.
  2. Go to settings and click "Help"

Follow the instructions to contact Instagram. Most likely, the administration of the social network will ask you to provide account information (past passwords, recovery information, and more).

To protect your data from internet surveillance and keep it anonymous, use Planet FreeVPN on your devices right now!

Saving data

Before deleting your account, you can save messages, comments, and other profile information. To do this, follow these steps:

    1. Open Instagram and tap the profile icon in the lower right corner
    2. Click on the three vertical lines at the top right, then click Settings at the bottom
    3. Select 'Privacy & Security' from the 'Settings' menu, then find the 'Upload Data' option
    4. Enter your email address and click Download Request.

Within 48 hours, Instagram will send your complete profile file to the email address you provided. This file will contain your photos, comments, profile information, and anything else you might need in the future.

Even if you think you'll never need this data again, this is an important step in protecting your data if you ever want to view it again. If you don't, you will lose your data completely - and never get it back, no matter how hard you try.

Why developers "hide" the function of deleting an Instagram account

Complete deletion of a profile is a radical measure. And if such an action was taken impulsively, the user is likely to regret it over time. In addition, the social network is not interested in people leaving it. That is why the developers have safely hidden the account deletion function in the settings.

How long does Instagram take to delete an account?

If you follow one of the deletion procedures described above, your Instagram account will be deleted immediately. This is in contrast to Facebook, which disables a user's account for two weeks before putting it in a deletion queue (the entire process can take up to three months). In the case of deleting Instagram, there is no such margin of time.

Why delete an Instagram account?

There are two types of pages on Instagram: personal and business, and it may be necessary to delete both. Why do it?

Ordinary users with personal accounts decide to stop using the social network because it takes too much time. Business accounts are usually closed if sales of a product or service do not bring the desired profit, and further promotion of the page on the social network does not make sense.

Deleted Instagram account: what does it look like?

After the account is permanently deleted, the page will not display the number of publications and subscribers. If another user wants to log into the deleted profile, the message "User not found" will appear.

It should also be taken into account that after the complete deletion of the profile, it will be impossible to write to its former owner in Direct or call.

Can a deleted account be recovered?

No, you can't. When completely deleted from the company's servers, absolutely all data that was stored in the profile is erased. It does not matter which device was deleted, mobile or desktop.

The only option is to create a new profile with the same nickname and photo, but only if the nickname is not occupied by another user by that time.

Results

There can be many reasons to get rid of an Instagram account. But in any case, this is a legal right of the user. However, before deleting a profile once and for all, you should analyze all the risks and make sure that important information (contacts, photos, correspondence), if any, is saved. Only after that you can safely click on the delete profile button.

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Alexander Matrosov

Expert in computer science. Applied cryptography consultant, developer of the most secure Signal messenger

Various ways to delete an Instagram account

Selfies have become part of our lives. We just need to seize the moment to publish it online. The simplest web platform is Instagram. It's so simple that it's important to know how to delete an Instagram account .

Thinking about it. You take a selfie and post on Instagram. It's so easy to showcase your life to other people who are undoubtedly doing the same. It's fun for now, but have you thought about the long-term consequences of showing your life to others?

You might be wondering what the problem is if your account is in private status. Well, here's the problem. You rely a lot on your account privacy settings, even though there is no real online privacy.

The bottom line is that you should spend some time learning how to delete an Instagram account. This knowledge can come in handy when you decide to become inconspicuous.

Contents: Part 1: Privacy and InstagramPart 2: Ways to Delete an Instagram AccountPart 3: Bonus: How to Increase Privacy and Uninstall the Instagram AppPart 4: Conclusion

Part 1: Privacy and Instagram

Instagram is fun. There is no doubt about this. However, if you care enough about your privacy, you can simplify your messages. One look at how Instagram works, the first thing that comes to mind is privacy. Based on all the photos that have been posted, you might want to think about the sheer amount of information available to outsiders.

Would you like anyone or everyone to know where you are going? What do you eat? What are you wearing? Well, let's face it. There are people who like to brag to others. The downside of this could be a breach of their privacy.

This is a fact. There are people who make tons of money on Instagram. These are what you call influencers and they have a huge following. They earn a lot by posting what they wear, what they eat and what they do. While it's hard to tell what will happen to them when Instagram starts hiding their follower and like counts, we just want to wish them the best of luck as their lives have been showcased at a shocking level.

For your part, would you sacrifice your privacy for free? I think about it? Where will it take you? This does not mean that posting on Instagram is wrong. Is not. You just need to relax with your messages. If at any point you think you've posted too much, well, it's time for you to do something about it. To get started, learn how to delete an Instagram account to protect yourself.

Part 2: Ways to delete your Instagram account

There are various ways to delete or disable your Instagram account. Keep reading to find out more about them.

Method #1. Permanently deleting your Instagram account

If you still decide to take back your privacy and live inconspicuously for the rest of your life, pay attention to the following steps. They will show you how to delete your Instagram account permanently.

Step 1: Make sure your photos are backed up

First of all, back up your photos. You've spent so much time getting them, so why not support them and keep them forever? Keep in mind that you won't be able to get all your Instagram photos back if you decide to permanently delete your account.

So, back up your photos. If you want an easy way to save photos to your hard drive, consider using Instaport. Just go to instaport.me to access the program. Sign in with your Instagram account. Then click on Start exporting tab to back up your photos.

Step 2. Login Y our Instagram account

Sign in to your Instagram account on your Mac or PC. Once you've done that, go to the bottom of your Instagram account. You will see a menu. Find the "Support" tab and click on it.

Step 3. Click "Account Management".

Once you go to the Support tab, you will be taken to the Instagram Help Center page. Hover over the panel on the left and find "Account Management". Once you see it, click on it.

Step 4. Delete your account0176 , you will be taken to another window. Look for Delete your account on the left panel and click on it. Once you click on it, you will see three questions on the main screen. Click on the second question: How do I delete my account?

Step 5. Select the reason for deletion.

After you click on the question "How do I delete my account", you will be prompted to go to the delete your account page. On this page, you will need to select the reason why you are deleting your Instagram account. Once you have chosen a reason, you will have to re-enter your password. After that you can click on the red tab below that says Delete my account permanently .

Method #2. Temporarily deleting your Instagram account

It is important for you to know that if you temporarily disable your Instagram account, your profile, photos and comments will be hidden until you reactivate your account. If for some reason you just want to temporarily delete your Instagram account, the steps below will show you how.

Step 1. Go to the Instagram website.

You will not be able to temporarily delete your Instagram account from the app. You will need to go to their website. You will need to log in from there. So, type in Instagram.com in any browser and wait for the website to launch. Once you see it, log in with your credentials.

Step 2. Go to your profile page.

Go to your profile page. From there, you can edit your profile. Just look for Edit Profile tab and click on it.

Step 3. Temporarily disable your account

After you click on the "Edit Profile" tab, you will be taken to another page where you can edit your profile. Scroll down this page until you see Temporarily disable my account . You will see it at the bottom of the page. Then click on it.

Step 4: Select a reason for deleting

You will be taken to another page where you will need to select the reason why you are temporarily deleting your account. Once you've chosen a reason, enter your password and click on the tab that says "Temporarily disable account." You will see this tab at the bottom of the page. Your account will be disabled, but you can still get your data back if you log in.

Method #3. Disabling an Instagram account due to inactivity and violating 9 terms0041

This next method may not work for you, but it is also a way to disable your Instagram account. Take a look at the steps below to learn how to disable your Instagram account by being inactive or violating the terms of service.

Step 1: Stop Posting

You can simply stop posting on Instagram. Over time, Instagram will disable your account.

Step 2: Post something that violates the Terms of Service

You can also post anything that violates Instagram Terms of Service . While this may not be the right thing to do, it is an option.

Step 3: Wait for a notification from Instagram

If you followed step 1 or 2, you just need to wait for a notification from Instagram that your account has been disabled.

Part 3 Bonus: How to increase privacy and uninstall the Instagram app

If you are deleting your Instagram account for privacy reasons, you can use an easier exit. The easy way out is the iMyMac PowerMyMac. With this program, you can easily clean up the Instagram app on your Mac or PC. With their Android App Uninstaller module, you don't have to worry about uninstalling any application as PowerMyMac can do it for you.

It scans your Mac or PC for all the apps you want to uninstall.

Learn more