# Impersonator or Imposter Accounts on Bluesky As Bluesky grows in popularity, so are the number of trolls, spammers, and impersonator accounts. Happily, there are many ways to [[e. Control What You Do (& Don't) See|Control What You Do (& Don't) See]] on Bluesky, including blocking and muting. Also: - [See Bluesky Safety's Nov. 29, 2024 thread about their impersonation policy](https://bsky.app/profile/safety.bsky.app/post/3lc4h7p676225). - See the newly created [[Cautions and Scams]], where I'll be including useful threads like [@delilahsdawson.bsky.social's caution about scam book marketers, and how to recognize them](https://bsky.app/profile/delilahsdawson.bsky.social/post/3lcie4utic22s). - Check out the [Writer Beware](https://www.sfwa.org/other-resources/for-authors/writer-beware/) site for the heads-up about the heads-up about questionable, illicit, and/or nonstandard practices in and around the publishing industry. I also recommend following [@victoriastrauss.bsky.social](https://bsky.app/profile/victoriastrauss.bsky.social), Writer Beware co-founder. ![[Cover-ImpersonatorAccounts-v2flat800.jpg|400]] Impersonator accounts are harder to spot. I've been duped a bunch of times, and still get duped. ***Caution:** BEFORE ASSUMING ANYONE of being an impersonator, do your research. I also advise against publicly accusing anyone unless you are 100% ok with the potential consequences (whether you are right or wrong).* # INDEX [What is an Impersonator Account?](https://publish.obsidian.md/debbieohi/impersonator-accts#What+is+an+Impersonator+Account%3F) [Why are they doing this?](https://publish.obsidian.md/debbieohi/impersonator-accts#Why+are+they+doing+this%3F) [What are ways of recognizing an Impersonator Account?](https://publish.obsidian.md/debbieohi/impersonator-accts#How+can+I+recognize+and+Impersonator+Account%3F) [What if they send me a DM?](https://publish.obsidian.md/debbieohi/impersonator-accts#What+if+they+send+me+a+DM%3F) [What should I do if I think I've found an Impersonator Account?](https://publish.obsidian.md/debbieohi/impersonator-accts#What+should+I+do+if+I+I+think+I've+found+an+Impersonator+Account%3F) [What can I do to avoid looking an Impersonator Account?](https://publish.obsidian.md/debbieohi/impersonator-accts#What+can+I+can+do+to+avoid+looking+like+an+Impersonator+account%3F) > [!NOTE] This is NOT an official Bluesky resource! > Be aware that this is a living vault, very much a work-in-progress. It is NOT meant to be a 100% accurate and finished resource. Please note that these tips are just based on my own experience. What works for me may not work for you. Feel free to send me feedback via [[Contact Debbie]] > ## What is an Impersonator Account? An account on Bluesky that pretends to be a real-life individual or organization. Bluesky recently posted about their impersonation policy. [Read their thread via Bluesky Safety](https://bsky.app/profile/safety.bsky.app/post/3lc4h7p676225). ## Why are they doing this? Who really knows? Just a few possible reasons: - For kicks. - Malicious reasons, including posting things the real-life individual or organization would never post, or asking people for money. ## What are some ways of recognizing an Impersonator Account? ***UPDATE Dec. 2nd, 2024: [Bluesky Safety has posted](https://bsky.app/profile/safety.bsky.app/post/3lc4h7p676225) they have quadrupled the size of their moderation team, and are also exploring additional options to enhance account verification beyond setting up verified domain handles.*** There's no guaranteed way to tell if someone is a fake without going directly to the real-life individual or organization and getting an official verification. I recently saw [simonkids.bsky.social](https://bsky.app/profile/simonkids.bsky.social) create an account but reached out to my contact at S&S to verify before I started following them. They let me know it really IS an authentic account (HURRAY!)... a placeholder until they decide whether or not to start using it; they're still waiting on website vetting and approval from their corporate and legal people. Fingers crossed! For accounts impersonating individuals, here's a pattern I've noticed*: - Multiple attempts to start a conversation via private chat DMs. - They tend NOT to have a link in their profile bio. - Their profile bio tends to sound like it was written by a fan. Here's a real-life example: "*American speculative fiction writer. An acclaimed writer, having won the Hugo Award for best novel four times, matching Robert A. Heinlein's record.*" - They tend to follow *many* more accounts than accounts who are following them. - They tend to mostly repost, make very few original posts. - When they reply, it's more of the "I agree!" or other very short and vague replies. - Typos and grammatical errors that the real-life person wouldn't ordinarily make. - Odd phrasing and vocabulary that the real-life person wouldn't ordinarily use. \* Please note: Even if an account meets all the above criteria doesn't necessarily mean they are an impersonator account! Example: Some people may choose NOT to have a link in their profile bio for valid reasons. IF you'd like people to find out more about you and your work, however, it's a bonus to make it easy for those visiting your Bluesky profile to do so. More tips in [[a. Your User Profile|Your User Profile]]. **In the end, the only way to be 100% sure is to ask the real-life individual or organization if it's really their Bluesky account.** [Bluesky Moderation Service](https://bsky.app/profile/moderation.bsky.app) can help you avoid Impersonation Accounts. All Bluesky users are automatically subscribed to this Labeler, I believe. More info under [[Labelers]] and [[e. Control What You Do (& Don't) See|Control What You Do (& Don't) See]]. ![[Impersonators-Hide-BlueskyModerationServices.jpg|500]] ## What if they send me a DM? Something else I've noticed, based on my own experience with impersonator accounts: - They will initiate DMs without a specific purpose except to say things like "Hi! How's it going?" or "Hi 👋🏼, greetings from a fellow Author" or "Hello, it's been ages!" After being duped once by the above, I am now *much* more cautious instead of jumping immediately into friendly banter. I want to see how they write, what they write about, and meanwhile also compare their writing style to their writing style elsewhere. I have also tried contacting the real-life individuals to verify it's really them but usually when it's a Famous Person, they likely wouldn't be replying anyway. Whatever you do, NEVER SEND SENSITIVE OR PERSONAL INFORMATION via DMs. You can also limit who can send you DMs in Chat (go into your Chat & click on the Chat Settings icon, which looks like two tiny toggle switches, just beside the "+ New Chat" button. See [[e. Control What You Do (& Don't) See|Control What You Do (& Don't) See]]. ## What should I do if I I think I've found an Impersonator Account? Unfollow them immediately. That way they can't DM you (if you have your Chat set to accept DMs from anyone you're following). Also, if others see you are following that person and trust *you*, then they may still assume the person is legit. As for blocking, it's up to you. I only block if I'm 100% positive that the account is an impersonator...in which case I also report the account. Reason: There is always a (probably overly benevolent and naive) part of my brain that thinks well, maybe they are just super-awkward and not good at expressing themselves, or not good at social media. **If the Impersonator Account turns into a troll, DO NOT ENGAGE. Just block.** ## What can I can do to avoid looking like an Impersonator account? - Self-verify by using your website as your username. [More info on this on this on the Bluesky blog.](https://bsky.social/about/blog/4-28-2023-domain-handle-tutorial) - On your website and other platforms, let people know where to find you on Bluesky. - Make some original posts, not just reposts or quote-posts. - Avoid following way more users on Bluesky than the number of users following you. - Have authentic, meaningful interactions with others in the community that are consistent with your real-life persona. - Instead of jumping into DMs with someone without any other interaction in Bluesky, FIRST interact with them publicly (yes, even if you already know them from other platforms). Reply to their posts with specific refs that make it clear that you were genuinely interested in and appreciating what they said. At this point, some of you may be thinking, "Eek! I don't have a website or maybe I don't WANT my website as my username, or maybe I just WANT to repost or quote-post other people's content etc etc" THAT IS FINE. In the end, there is no one right way to use social media. All the above are guidelines, not rules set in stone, and based solely on my own experience. **In the end, the only way to be 100% sure is to ask the real-life individual or organization if it's really their Bluesky account.**