Filter fake accounts is a gateway to fraudulent activities, including spam, scams, and phishing. Uncovering fake account activity helps to protect your users, restore trust, and boost revenue.

It’s easy for fraudsters to create a fake account that appears legitimate. They do this by spoofing or modifying device fingerprints (such as GPS, IP address, time zone data, and more), using emulators to run different software applications on one device, or even registering an account from another user’s computer.

How to Filter Fake Accounts From Real Ones

The exact number of fake social media accounts on popular platforms cannot be determined, but they are a problem for businesses trying to build trust and engage real people. Some fake profiles are created for humor or to promote a specific political agenda, while others serve more malicious purposes, manipulating opinions and distorting the information landscape.

There are a few key indicators that may indicate an account is fake: Excessive Friend Requests: If an account receives multiple friend requests from other users within a short period of time, or if the profile looks overly polished with stock photos, it is likely not genuine. Also look for comments that are emoji-only or do not contribute to the discussion, and check who they follow. Misspelled Names: Inconsistent spellings of names, or subtly changing a letter in a famous person’s name, are common tactics used to impersonate a high-profile account.

Ensure that your business has effective methods of filtering fake accounts in place. Train your team to spot suspicious account behavior and report it immediately. Implementing two-factor authentication can also help reduce the risk of fake account creation by requiring a second form of verification before access is granted.