Fake Accounts Are Getting Smarter — Here’s How to Outsmart Them

AI has made impersonation easier than ever. From TikTok to WhatsApp, fake accounts can look polished, personal, and “real” — until you look closer.

Here’s your quick-check guide to spot the fakes:

🔍 1. Scan the profile trail

Real creators post regularly, reply like humans, and evolve. A fresh account with glossy photos and no conversation? Probably synthetic.

🧠 2. Use your tools

Drop their profile photo into Google Images or TinEye. If it appears on stock sites or unrelated profiles, it’s not authentic.

💬 3. Language tells

Scammers reuse AI-written scripts: too formal, too flattering, or oddly phrased. Humans have quirks — fake copy tone, not texture.

🌐 4. Cross-check across platforms

Search their name and handle on LinkedIn, Instagram, and even old-school Google. Authenticity leaves a consistent digital fingerprint.

🚫 5. Guard your data

Never share codes, passwords, or “verification details.” If they push for urgency or secrecy, pause — pressure is the oldest trick in the scammer’s book.

SBPS Tip: AI is powerful — but so are your instincts. When something feels off, it usually is.

Stay smart. Stay curious. Stay safe.

Dan MacInnis

Dan is a marketer and a creative soul. She has over 25 years of experience helping small businesses with their marketing and started Happy Beads in 2021 as a creative outlet during the pandemic.

https://www.macinnismarketing.com.au
Next
Next

The Rise of AI Video: How Small Businesses Can Now Compete with Big Brands