Dealing with fake profiles
Fake social media accounts are often created to harm individuals. These accounts may be used to:
Hide the identity of someone sending abusive, threatening or bullying messages.
Impersonate another person to damage their reputation or cause emotional distress.
Trick friends, family members or colleagues into connecting with an account pretending to be you, with the aim of scamming them or encouraging them to engage with malicious content.
This is a common form of cyberbullying and online abuse that can cause significant emotional distress and damage to your online reputation. Taking action as early as possible can help limit the impact.
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Approaches to dealing with fake profiles
Report the account - Most social media platforms provide a process for reporting fake or impersonation accounts. Report the profile using the platform's reporting tools and explain that the account is impersonating you or another individual. If the platform confirms that the account is fake, it may remove both the profile and its content.
If the fake profile is using your photographs, identity documents, copyrighted images, or other personal content without permission, include this information in your report, as it may help support the platform's investigation.
Encourage others to report the profile - Ask trusted friends, family members or colleagues to report the fake account as well. Multiple reports can sometimes help platforms identify impersonation accounts more quickly.
Tell your contacts - Let your friends, followers and other contacts know that the account is fake. Encourage them not to accept friend requests, respond to messages, click on links or share any information with the fake profile.
Keep a copy of the evidence -Take screenshots or save copies of the fake profile, messages, posts, usernames and URLs before the account is removed. This evidence may be useful if the abuse continues or if you need to report the matter to the platform or SAPS.
Try not to monitor the account - Repeatedly checking the fake profile or reading comments can increase distress. Once you have gathered evidence and reported the account, try to avoid monitoring it unless it becomes necessary for your safety or to preserve further evidence.
Remember that public content can spread - It can be upsetting knowing that false information or impersonation is publicly visible. Seek support from trusted people while the platform investigates and removes the account.
If you are being bullied
Know it is not your fault - Nobody deserves to be bullied or harassed. The abusive behaviour reflects the actions of the person responsible, not you.
Reach out for support - Speak to someone you trust, such as a friend, family member, colleague, teacher or another trusted adult. Having support can make the situation easier to manage.
Don’t respond or retaliate - Responding may encourage the person responsible to continue. Where possible, avoid engaging with them. Focus instead on reporting, blocking and preserving evidence.
Tell the person to stop (if it feels safe) - If you feel comfortable doing so, you can clearly tell the person to stop contacting or impersonating you. Only do this if you believe it is safe and appropriate.
Use the tools available - Most social media platforms allow you to block users and report abusive accounts. Using these tools can reduce further contact while the platform investigates.
Report it - If the fake profile forms part of ongoing harassment, intimidation, threats, fraud or abuse, you may wish to report the matter to SAPS.
If intimate images are involved, or the conduct amounts to cybercrime, offences may fall under the Cybercrimes Act, 2020 or other applicable South African legislation
If there is immediate or imminent risk of harm
If someone is in immediate or imminent danger:
Prioritise immediate safety.
Seek emergency assistance without delay.
Where appropriate, contact SAPS or the relevant emergency service.
If you are receiving support from Cyber Helpline, your case may be escalated internally through the designated safeguarding/staffed safeguarding route.
Do not attempt to investigate, intervene with the alleged perpetrator or manage the safeguarding risk independently.
The Cyber Helpline’s responders provide support, explain available options and facilitate appropriate escalation. They cannot make promises about the outcome or manage a high-risk safeguarding situation outside of our established processes.
Advice for parents and carers
Every case of cyberbullying or online impersonation is different and should be taken seriously. Take the concern seriously and prioritise the child's safety.
Do not attempt to investigate the situation or make your own determination about whether safeguarding action is required.
The following advice may help:
Let them talk - Give the child or young person space to explain what has happened in their own way. Listen without judgement and avoid making them feel embarrassed or blamed.
Don’t remove access to technology - Young people often avoid asking for help because they fear losing access to their devices. Reassure them that speaking up is the right thing to do and that your priority is helping them stay safe.
Talk to their school - If the person responsible is another learner or the incident is affecting your child's wellbeing at school, speak to the school and provide any evidence you have collected.
Ask what action can be taken under the school's code of conduct, anti-bullying policy and safeguarding procedures. If necessary, concerns can be escalated through the School Governing Body or the relevant Provincial Department of Education.
If the matter involves threats, extortion, sexual exploitation or immediate safety concerns, contact SAPS.
Contact the police if you fear for their safety - If someone is in immediate danger, call 10111 or go to your nearest police station.
Children and young people can also contact:
Childline South Africa: 116 or 0800 55 555
GBV Command Centre: 0800 428 428 where domestic abuse or gender-based violence is involved
If there are direct threats of violence or you believe someone is at immediate risk of harm, seek emergency assistance without delay.
Tap into expert bullying support
Children and young people can access free support through Childline South Africa.
Parents and carers may also wish to seek assistance from Child Welfare South Africa, their child's school, or the relevant Provincial Department of Education where appropriate.
If the fake profile involves:
threats of violence;
extortion or blackmail;
sexual exploitation;
intimate image abuse;
fraud or identity theft; or
immediate safety concerns,
report the matter to SAPS and follow the relevant The Cyber Helpline guide where applicable.
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