Identity theft on social media involves the unauthorized assumption of another person’s online persona, typically through the creation of a fake profile. This fabricated account uses the victim’s name, photographs, and other personal details to deceive others. An example of this is the creation of a Facebook profile mirroring an individual’s legitimate account, complete with copied profile pictures and publicly available information, but controlled by a different user.
The act of impersonation on social media platforms can lead to significant harm for the individual whose identity is stolen. Reputation damage, financial repercussions (if the fake account is used for fraudulent schemes), and emotional distress are potential consequences. Historically, impersonation was limited by geographical constraints; however, social media’s global reach has amplified the scale and impact of such malicious activity.
