How to Spot a Fake Social Media Account (TikTok, FaceBook, Instagram, and Snapchat)

Highlights:

• Keep an eye out for inconsistencies in the profile data. Usernames that don’t match the display name or blurry profile photos taken from influencers or celebrities are examples of fake accounts.
• Accounts with a sudden increase in followers or a relatively small number of friends should be avoided. Low post counts and low levels of interaction with the content are further signs of fake accounts.

1. How to Detect Fake Accounts on TikTok

1. If you suspect an account is fake, look for the profile picture. Most fake accounts use generic or stock images, or it could be a blurry image of a male or female.
2. Next, compare the username with the display name and see if it is the same, then examine the bio-information of the page. If the profile does not have biodata, this could be a red flag.
   
3. Next, look out for the number of followers the profile has, and also the number of people the profile is following. A profile having a huge number of followers with little following could be a sign of a fake account.
   
4. Go through the posts of the profile or page and see if the content is related to what the profile represents. If the profile is private, this could be another sign of a fake account.
   
5. Finally, you can also use a TikTok Audit Checker to verify the authenticity of an influencer account.

2. How to Detect Fake Accounts on Facebook

1. Firstly, take a screenshot of the profile picture or download it, go to Google Image Search, and upload the picture in the search bar. If you get any other matches of the image, this is an indicator that the account is fake.
2. Even if you do not get a match, the account might belong to another user whose identity has been stolen and used by scammers.
3. Next, check how many pictures have been uploaded to the profile. Fake accounts hardly post many pictures.
   
4. Now, check the number of friends the profile has. If the profile has a huge number of friends (several thousand) or very few (below 10), this could also be a fake account.
   
5. Finally, review the recent activities of the profile. Real Facebook accounts perform various activities from time to time, however, if you realize that no activity has been carried out for a while in the account, it could be a fake profile.
   

3. How to Detect Fake Accounts on Instagram

1. The first thing to look out for is the bio. Fake accounts usually have strange usernames with empty bios. It may also not have a profile picture.
   
2. Fake accounts will always reach out to you with a generic message telling you to click a link or visit another website.
   
3. If certain profiles keep posting comments that do not match your content, they are probably fake. This usually comes in the form of emojis and unrelated messages.
   
4. Lastly, if the profile has a low number of followers, and follows many other accounts, this could indicate that it is fake.
   

4. How to Detect Fake Account on Snapchat

1. If you suspect a fake account, the first thing to do is check if you have that contact saved on your phone. Snapchat has a feature that allows people to get your account via your phone number. If you cannot find the person on your contact list, there is a high chance that it is a fake account.
2. Next, check to see if the profile has a Bitmojis (cartoon avatars). If it does not, this is a sign that it could be a fake account.
3. Be careful if an account adds you suddenly, and reaches out asking you to click a link, or comes with a business proposal. These are the various ways scammers trick people.