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uk Personal safety & immediate danger fake account impersonating me • someone pretending to be me • impersonation account messaging others • fake profile contacting my friends • someone sharing my location online • someone claiming they know where i am • posting my plans without consent • doxxing risk from fake account • stalking via social media account • harassment through impersonation • identity misuse online • someone using my photos and name • account cloning • fake instagram or facebook account • messages about where i will be • safety risk from online impersonation • what if people think it’s me • location leak from social media

What to do if…
a new account is impersonating you and messaging people about your location or plans

Short answer

Treat this as a real-world safety issue until proven otherwise: get to a safer place if needed, lock down your accounts (starting with email), and report the impersonation quickly so the account can be removed.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t confront or “negotiate” with the impersonator from your main account (it can escalate and gives them feedback).
  • Don’t post your real-time location, travel plans, or “I’m safe / I’m home alone” updates while this is active.
  • Don’t click links, open files, or scan QR codes sent by the impersonator (even if they look “official”).
  • Don’t delete messages/screenshots in a panic (you may need them for platform reports or police).
  • Don’t ask friends to “argue with them” or publicly shame the account (it often amplifies reach).
  • Don’t assume it’s “just online” if they’re talking about your location or plans.

What to do now

  1. Make a quick safety call about the next few hours.

    • If there’s any chance someone could turn up where you are (or where you’re going), change plans and move to a safer place (indoors, with other people, or somewhere staffed like a shop/café).
    • Tell one trusted person what’s happening and ask them to stay reachable.

  2. Capture proof without engaging.

    • Screenshot the fake profile (name, handle, profile photo, bio) and the messages about your location/plans.
    • Save URLs where possible, plus date/time. If friends received messages, ask them to screenshot too.

  3. Lock down the accounts that could be feeding them information (start with email).

    • Change your email password first, then key accounts (social media, messaging, Apple/Google).
    • Turn on 2-step verification for email and social accounts.
    • Check for unknown devices/sessions and sign them out.
    • Confirm account recovery options (email/phone) are yours and haven’t been changed.

  4. Reduce what the impersonator can learn in the next hour.

    • Set social accounts to private (temporarily if needed) and restrict who can view stories/updates.
    • Review recent posts for clues (workplace, gym, school run times). Remove or limit visibility if it reveals patterns.
    • Turn off public location features where relevant (for example, location tagging on posts/stories).

  5. Report the impersonation using the platform’s official flow.

    • Use the platform’s “impersonation / pretending to be someone” report category.
    • Ask a few friends who received messages to report and block the account after they’ve saved screenshots (this may help, but isn’t guaranteed).
    • If you’re asked to verify your identity, do it only through the app’s built-in reporting/help routes (ignore “support” DMs).

  6. Send one clear warning to your contacts (low-drama, high-clarity).

    • From your real account (or a group message), send something like:
      • “A fake account is impersonating me and messaging people. Please don’t reply, don’t share any info, and report/block it. If you’ve received messages, screenshot them first.”
    • Ask people not to “fact-check” by replying to the impersonator (it can leak more information and boost visibility).

  7. If you feel unsafe or the messages are threatening, contact police.

    • If you’re in immediate danger or think someone may arrive imminently, call 999.
    • Otherwise call 101 to report what’s happening or get advice. Explain it’s impersonation involving messages about your location or plans, and that you have screenshots.

  8. If the impersonation involves scams or identity fraud, report it the right way for where you are in the UK.

    • England, Wales, or Northern Ireland: report cyber crime/fraud to Report Fraud (the national reporting centre) and keep your evidence bundle ready.
    • Scotland: report fraud/financial crime to Police Scotland (via 101), and keep your evidence bundle ready.
    • If any money has been taken or accounts compromised, contact your bank/platforms immediately as well.

What can wait

  • Writing a long public explanation or “naming and shaming” post.
  • Trying to work out who it is (guessing wrong can inflame things and distract from removal/safety).
  • Making formal complaints to multiple bodies at once—focus first on: safety, account security, platform takedown, and a single police report if needed.
  • Rebuilding all your privacy settings perfectly; do the minimum lockdown now and refine later.

Important reassurance

It’s normal to feel exposed and panicked when someone is “speaking as you” and referencing your whereabouts. Fast, boring steps—capture evidence, secure accounts, reduce visibility, report—usually stop the spread and give you control back.

Scope note

This is first steps only—focused on immediate safety, stopping further messages, and preserving options. If the behaviour continues or feels targeted, you may need specialist support and ongoing safety planning.

Important note

This is general information, not legal advice. If you feel in immediate danger, call 999. If you’re unsure whether you’re at risk, it’s still reasonable to treat it seriously and ask police for advice via 101.

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