Impersonation & Identity Theft

Impersonation happens when someone pretends to be you online—creating fake accounts, sending messages in your name, or even using your identity to harass others. This is often linked to other forms of online abuse, like spreading false rumors or damaging your reputation.

What You Can Do

Alert Others

Let your contacts know about the fake account through your social media, email, or any platform you control.

Report It

Social media platforms have tools to report impersonation. The sooner you do this, the faster the fake account can be taken down.

Reporting to Platforms
Document Everything

Set your social media to private, strengthen your passwords, and enable two-factor authentication to prevent further attacks. If necessary, deactivate your account temporarily.

Know Your Rights

Section 420 of the Penal Code Whoever cheats and thereby dishonestly induces the person deceived, whether or not the deception practiced was the sole or main inducement, to deliver any property to any person, or to make, alter, or destroy the whole or any part of a valuable security, or anything which is signed or sealed, and which is capable of being converted into a valuable security, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one year and not more than ten years and with whipping, and shall also be liable to fine.