Fake Friend Requests & Cloned Accounts
Published August 2026 · Last verified August 2026
One of the most common calls I get is a worried one: I got a friend request from someone I am already friends with, or my friend says I sent them a weird message and I did not. That is a cloned account, and it is a scam. The good news is it is easy to spot once you know the signs, and it does not mean anyone hacked your account. This little book walks you through it in plain English. No jargon. No judgment. No rushing.
One of the most common calls I get is a worried one: I got a friend request from someone I am already friends with, or my friend says I sent them a weird message and I did not. That is a cloned account, and it is a scam. The good news is it is easy to spot once you know the signs, and it does not mean anyone hacked your account. This little book walks you through it in plain English. No jargon. No judgment. No rushing.
What's inside this guide
The printable PDF walks through 18 short chapters, in plain language. It also includes an everyday cheat sheet and at-a-glance pictures.
- What A Cloned Account Really Is
- Cloned Or Hacked? Telling Them Apart
- The Warning Signs Of A Fake Request
- The Newer, Smarter Fakes
- What To Do The Moment It Arrives
- Reporting A Clone Of Your Own Account
- Reporting A Fake Of Someone Else
- Warning Your Friends The Right Way
- When The Fake Asks For Money
- The Grant, Prize, And Program Scams
- The Romance Angle
- Settings That Make You A Hard Target
- Making Your Photos Harder To Copy
- A Family Rule That Beats Every Clone
- If You Already Clicked Or Paid
- Reporting Fraud Beyond Facebook
- Clearing Up The Common Myths
- Staying Calm And In Control
Get the printable guide
Everything above is a quick summary. The full, printable guide — the same words, laid out to read and keep by the computer — is a free PDF.
Last verified August 2026. Information accurate as of October 18, 2026.
Want someone to set it up with you?
I'll sit beside you, we'll go through it together, and you set the pace. $99 flat for the first visit, 30-day follow-up included. Serving Portage County — Atwater, Ravenna, Kent, Streetsboro and the townships.
Was this guide helpful?
Thanks — that helps Bill keep these guides useful.
This guide is yours, free.
No sign-up, no email, no catch — it's free the way it looks free. Print it, save it, or share it with family. And if you'd rather hand the job off, the matching service and the ways to reach Bill are right above.
Any prices or outside products mentioned in this guide can change over time — the details here were last checked August 2026 and this page is accurate as of October 18, 2026; please confirm current pricing before you buy. See how often we review our guides →