If you run a popular blog and promote your business on Instagram, you may not be counting on your account being banned. However, malicious people and cyber attackers offer this job as a paid service to block your profile. The amount varies depending on the seller and the number of followers.
This is often done through a tactic known as identity theft reporting, which uses verified accounts with a blue checkmark next to the username. Attackers use verified accounts to create an exact copy of the victim profile, from the avatar to the description. He then files a complaint about the original account, accusing the account owner of impersonating him. If the victim does not verify their account, the support service bans the victim.
The second method involves tech support claiming that the victim’s profile contains images of suicide or self-mutilation. In most cases, Instagram takes the easier route and blocks such complaints without checking the content.
What should you do if your Instagram profile is blocked?
- If you are already a victim of such an attack, contact Instagram support immediately with an explanation of what happened. Bans can only be appealed through the app.
- If someone comes to you with an offer to get your account back for money, don’t pay. There is no guarantee that you will get results, and doing so only encourages malicious people. Moreover, it is free to take advantage of the official recovery procedure through Instagram support.
How can you prevent your account from being blocked?
- Verify your account. These types of attacks focus on identity theft complaints. That’s why the best way to protect yourself is to convince Instagram that you are yourself before anything happens to you. So you need to verify your account right away. Although the social network does not control every user, it can define some points in your favor. For example, if you or your business are mentioned in more than one news source, this will help you.
- You can take the radical step of making your account publicly accessible. If you make your account private, your posts, photos and videos will only be visible to subscribers. This means that the attacker cannot copy them and accuse you of impersonating different identities.
- Change your profile picture. Change your avatar if you want to reduce the risk of blocking attacks for business profiles that are not well known for verification. Identity theft complaints work best on profiles with a real photo of the owner.
- Make regular backups and update contact information. First, make sure you have access to the email address and phone number linked to your profile.
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