Spotting fake profiles: check, report, block
A new profile with your friend’s photo, a request from someone you do not know, a flirt that quickly asks for money: fake profiles exist on every network. Here is how to recognise them and which tools Friendstime gives you against them.
Typical warning signs
Be careful when a profile is only a few days old, has hardly any posts or only photos from the internet, when a request comes from someone you are already friends with, or when the other person quickly wants to move from the network to another service. Any request for money, gift card codes or login details is a clear red flag. A video call straight from the chat is a good way to check whether the person is real.
Accept requests consciously
On Friendstime you decide yourself whether to accept a friend request. In the privacy settings you choose who may send you requests: Everyone, Friends of friends or No one. With “Friends of friends” there must be at least one mutual friend, and under “Discover people” the number of mutual friends is shown right away.
Report and block
Report suspicious profiles via the report option in the profile menu. Choose a reason such as spam or harassment and add a short explanation if you like. People on the moderation team review the report; in case of violations, accounts are suspended. “Block” ends the contact: friendship and open requests are removed, and direct messages are no longer possible.
If someone copies your profile
Warn your friends through another channel, for example by chat or phone, that requests from the copy are not from you. Save screenshots and the link to the fake profile and report it; use the explanation to describe what happened. In case of damage or fraud, you can also involve the police.
Protection for teenagers
Accounts of teenagers under 18 appear neither in people search nor in suggestions for strangers. Their profile is private, and friend requests from and to teenagers are only possible through the personal invite link. Certain features are also blocked or restricted for minors.
Try it yourself
Signing up takes a minute and is free.
Frequently asked questions
How do I report a fake profile?
Via the report option in the profile menu. Choose a reason and add a short explanation; people on the moderation team review the report.
What do I do if someone copied my profile?
Warn your friends through another channel, save screenshots and the link, and report the profile. In case of damage or fraud you can involve the police.
How do I protect myself from requests by strangers?
Under “Privacy”, set that only friends of friends or no one may send you requests.
Does the person find out that I reported them?
Reports go to the moderation team. If you also block the person, they will notice at the latest when their messages to you are rejected.