If you suddenly receive a message from a friend asking if you have created a “new” Facebook account, it is likely that your profile has been cloned. Account cloning occurs when a bad person takes your photo, name, and public information and creates a fake profile to scam you.
What is Facebook cloning?

This is when a scammer creates a fake account based on your public information such as your profile picture, cover photo, and bio. Their goal is usually to take advantage of your friends’ trust to collect personal data, spread malicious links, ask for money, or damage your reputation.

Why do they do this?
Because account cloning is easy to do but has the potential to fool many people. A fake profile that looks like yours will make it easier for acquaintances to trust and interact, making it easier for scammers to manipulate them.

Risks of account cloning:
Identity theft: Impersonators use fake profiles to ask for personal information from your friends.

Financial fraud: They may send urgent messages asking for money.

Reputation damage: Bad content posted under your name can cause serious misunderstandings.

Malware spreading: Your friends are likely to click on dangerous links thinking they are from you.

How is cloning different from hacking?
Clone is creating a fake account. Hacking is gaining access to a real account using your email, phone number and password.
Signs of a cloned account:
You will usually know because your friends report that another account under your name has sent you friend requests or strange messages. You can check for yourself by searching for your name on Facebook to detect fake profiles.

What to do when your account is copied?
Immediately report the fake account using the “Report Profile” option and select “Fake Profile”.

Notify your friends so they do not interact with the fake account.

Take screenshots as evidence if you need to report further to the authorities.

How to prevent copying:
Limit your access to profile information, friends list and posts using Facebook’s Privacy Checkup tool.

Turn off the feature so that search engines can display your profile.

Be careful with public information, only allow “Friends” or “Only Me” to see it.

Security tips to protect your real account:
Set a strong and unique password, avoid using your birthday or easy-to-guess information.

Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) for an extra layer of protection.

Monitor login activity, log out from unfamiliar devices when necessary.

Beware of phishing messages, never click on suspicious links.

Does a VPN help?
A VPN cannot prevent bad guys from creating fake accounts, but it can help you stay safer when accessing Facebook on public Wi-Fi by encrypting your connection, reducing the risk of eavesdropping or data theft.