Reddit Account Impersonating You: How to Report It

Reddit lets people use the platform without their real names, but it does not allow anyone to misrepresent their identity or affiliation to mislead others. If an account or community is posing as you or your business, you can report the profile, the specific posts or comments, or use Reddit's impersonation report form. Reddit reviews the report and decides what to do. This guide covers what counts, the steps, what to save and the limits.

Last checked: 20 October 2026 against Reddit Help.

#What does Reddit count as impersonation?

Reddit's rule is not to impersonate individuals or entities in a misleading or deceptive manner. It lists pretending to be or represent an existing person or organisation to mislead or confuse others, and posing as a person or organisation that does not exist (Reddit Help).

Reddit says elements of a profile or community such as the name, description, profile picture and activity can all indicate impersonation. Its examples of violations include:

• Using a business name and offering deals on its behalf without authorisation
• Creating a username almost identical to another account's to confuse people
• Running an AMA while pretending to be an organisation's spokesperson
• Posing as an official government agency
• Misrepresenting yourself as a Reddit admin using Reddit's name and branding

Reddit also gives examples that do not break the rule, such as discussing a company's products by name, or a fan account for a celebrity that does not assume that person's identity. It encourages fan, satire and parody accounts and communities to say so, for example by adding unofficial to the name or description.

#What should I save before reporting?

• The username and profile URL of the impersonating account, or the community URL
• Links to specific posts, comments or messages that use your identity
• Dated screenshots of the profile name, avatar, banner and bio
• Your own genuine username or official website, so the difference is clear
• Messages from people who were contacted by the impersonator, with their permission

#How do I report a Reddit account impersonating me?

Reddit Help gives these steps for reporting a profile on iOS, Android and reddit.com (Reddit Help):

1. Go to the user page and tap or click the overflow menu.
2. Select Report Profile.
3. Choose what you are reporting, such as the username, display name, avatar or profile image, banner image or account bio, and which rule it breaks.
4. Select submit.

To report a specific post or comment, use the overflow menu on it and select Report. Reddit says that when you report specific content, the person who submitted it, the community and other users who interacted with it are part of the report under review.

When you report a profile, Reddit lets you choose which part of it is the problem: the username, display name, avatar or profile image, banner image or account bio. Reddit says that when you report a profile, the reported content is reviewed along with any context you provide, so pick every part that copies you and explain it clearly.

#What should I write in the report?

Keep it short and factual. Say which account or community is posing as you, give your genuine username or official website, and list what was copied, such as a near-identical username, your photo or your business name. If the account is offering deals, asking for money or contacting people in your name, say so and give links.

#Common mistakes

• Reporting a clearly labelled fan or parody account, which may not break the rule.
• Reporting only one comment when the whole profile is built around your identity.
• Leaving out your own username or website, so the reviewer cannot compare.
• Replying publicly to the impersonator, which can spread its posts further.

#Watch out for fake admins and removal offers

Reddit lists misrepresenting yourself as a Reddit admin as a violation. Treat any account that messages you claiming to be Reddit staff and offering to remove an impersonator for a fee as suspicious. Never share your password or two-factor codes. Our guide on spotting fake recovery services lists other warning signs.

#What if the impersonator messages people?

Impersonators often use chat or private messages to approach people who know you. Reddit's reporting guide gives a specific warning here: if you receive a chat request with a message you want to report, do not select Ignore, because that makes the message go away. Instead, open the chat, tap and hold the message on iOS or Android and select Report, or on reddit.com hover over the message and click the flag icon (Reddit Help).

For private messages, Reddit says you open the message in your inbox and choose Report from the menu. Once a private message report is submitted, Reddit deletes the message from your inbox, so take a screenshot first if you want to keep a record. Ask friends who were contacted to report the messages they received too, and to block the account afterwards if they want to cut off contact.

#What if my real account was also hacked?

Sometimes an impersonation starts after someone gets into your real account. Reddit's hacked account guidance says to reset your password, make sure the email on the account is yours, and submit a request if you cannot get back in (Reddit Help). Secure your real account first, then report the copy.

#What are the realistic limits?

Reddit decides whether an account breaks its impersonation rule. Pseudonymous accounts are allowed, and accounts that discuss you or your business without posing as you are not impersonation. If your report is declined, add clearer evidence of deception, such as messages sent in your name. For a cross-platform overview, see our impersonation and fake account removal guide. If your own account was suspended, see Reddit account suspended.

AwareXone helps people and businesses prepare impersonation reports through official platform channels. We are independent and not affiliated with Reddit, the work is best-effort, and Reddit makes the final decision. Read more about our impersonation removal support.