What To Do When Someone Impersonates Your Small Business

Imagine waking up, grabbing your morning brew, and scrolling through your phone… only to see a fake version of your business online. Same name, same logo, but it’s not you. It’s some cheeky so-and-so trying to scam your customers or nick your reputation. Nightmare, right?

If you’re reading this because it’s already happened to you – first, deep breath. You’re not alone, the author has seen a couple of occurances in the past month where small businesses have had to notify customers and prospects on their Facebook pages.  There’s loads you can do to fight back. Here’s a full guide on what to do when someone impersonates your small business.

Step 1: Don’t Panic

I know, easier said than done. It feels personal, because it is. You’ve put your heart into building your business, and now some scammer’s trying to rip it off. But panicking won’t help – you’ll need a clear head to sort it properly.

So, first things first: grab a notepad (or open your Notes app) and start writing down everything you see. Screenshots, links, usernames, everything. You’ll need this evidence later.

Step 2: Check Exactly What’s Going On

Not all impersonations are the same. Some dodgy folks create fake websites pretending to be you. Others might set up fake social media accounts. Sometimes they even run ads!

Here’s what you need to figure out:

• Is it a fake website?
• Fake social media accounts?
• Emails pretending to be from you?
• Ads using your brand?
• Fake listings on Google or other sites?

Make a list of everywhere you’ve spotted the impersonator. Check your social media platforms, Google, emails – even ask loyal customers if they’ve seen anything dodgy.

Step 3: Collect Evidence

Gather proof like you’re a detective in a Netflix crime drama. Here’s what to collect:

• Screenshots of fake accounts, posts, websites, ads, emails – everything.
• URLs of fake profiles or websites.
• Dates and times you spotted the fakes.
• Messages from customers who contacted you about the fake.

The more you collect, the better. Don’t just rely on links – scammers often delete stuff quickly. Get screenshots as soon as you spot anything!

Step 4: Report It – Fast

Now it’s time to get the fakes taken down. Where you report depends on what’s being faked.

Fake social media accounts

Every major platform has a way to report impersonation:

• Facebook and Instagram: Report the profile. Choose “Pretending to be someone else” as the reason.
• X (Twitter): Report and select “Pretending to be me or someone I represent.”
• LinkedIn: Use the “Report Abuse” button on their profile.
• TikTok: Report the account for impersonation too.

Usually, you’ll have to upload some proof that you own your real account or business (like your official website link or registration documents).

Fake websites

If someone’s made a website copying yours, it’s serious. Here’s what to do:

• Contact the hosting company and report the fake site. You can usually find out who hosts it by using a free “WHOIS lookup” tool.
• Send a “DMCA takedown notice” – this is a legal way of telling them to pull the site down although unlike the DMCA in the US, the UK doesn’t have a formal “takedown” system.
• If they’re using your brand name in the web address (like yourbrand-fake.com), you can also report it as a trademark violation if you’ve got your brand registered.

Fake Google listings

If someone’s made a dodgy listing on Google pretending to be you:

• Go to Google Maps or Search.
• Find the fake listing.
• Click “Suggest an Edit” ? “Remove this place.”
• Or use “Report a Problem” to flag it.

Fake ads

Seeing ads pretending to be you? Whether they’re on Facebook, Instagram, Google, or anywhere else, report them immediately. Platforms take fake ads seriously (especially if they’re linked to scams).

Step 5: Let Your Customers Know

Scammers thrive on confusion. Don’t give them the chance! Tell your customers what’s going on before they stumble across the fake.

Post on your website and socials:

• Explain there’s a fake version of your business around.
• Tell people how to spot the real you (your official website, real social accounts, etc.).
• Ask customers to report anything suspicious they see.

You could even email your mailing list with a quick alert if it’s bad enough. Keep it short, clear, and calm – you want to warn people, not freak them out.

Step 6: Beef Up Your Security

Impersonators sometimes get info from weak security. Now’s a good time to check you’re locked down tight.

• Use strong passwords on all your accounts (and change them if you think they’ve been nicked).
• Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) everywhere you can.
• Register your business name as a trademark if you haven’t already – it gives you more legal firepower.
• Buy similar domain names (like yourbusiness.co.uk and yourbusiness.com) to stop scammers grabbing them.

Prevention’s better than cure, as they say!

Step 7: If It’s Really Bad, Get Legal Help

If the impersonation is causing serious damage – like nicking customers, stealing money, or wrecking your reputation – it might be time to call in a lawyer.

Look for a solicitor who specialises in intellectual property (IP) law. They can help you:

• Send official cease-and-desist letters.
• Take legal action if needed.
• Protect your brand better for the future.

It can sound scary, but sometimes a stern letter from a solicitor is enough to make scammers run for the hills.

Step 8: Keep an Eye Out

Once you’ve dealt with it, stay alert. Set up a few quick ways to catch any future fakes:

• Google your business name regularly.
• Set up Google Alerts for your name and brand keywords.
• Keep an eye on your social media mentions.

It’s not fair that you have to be the brand police – but sadly, it’s part of running a business today. Keeping your eyes open could save you a lot of hassle later.

Final Thoughts

Having your small business impersonated is honestly rubbish. It’s scary, stressful, and downright unfair. But the good news is – you’ve got the power to fight back.

Act fast, stay calm, and protect yourself properly. Most fake accounts and sites get taken down pretty quickly once you report them. And the more you build a strong, trusted brand, the harder it gets for scammers to fool anyone.

Remember: you built your business from scratch. One cheeky scammer can’t undo that. You’ve got this!

Quick Recap

• Stay calm and collect evidence.
• Work out exactly what’s being faked.
• Report the impersonator to the right places.
• Warn your customers so they’re not caught out.
• Strengthen your security and protect your brand.
• Get legal help if you need it.
• Stay on the lookout for future fakes.