How to recognise scams, protect your fans and what Patreon is doing to help
What’s happening?
Impersonation scams are common online, and creators can be targets given their direct connection with fans. For example, scammers may create fake member accounts that copy creator names and profile photos. These accounts leave comments on creator posts, often promoting fake giveaways, rewards or investment opportunities, to trick fans into contacting them off-platform, typically via third-party messaging apps.
What should I look out for as a creator?
Be on the lookout for:
- Display names or profile photos that resemble yours
- Comments with messaging like:
- “You’ve been selected for a giveaway…”
- “For more guidance and tips…”
- “For professional guidance to earn you maximum profits…”
- “Message me on [a third-party messaging app]”
These are not legitimate messages. If you or your fans see something suspicious, don’t respond; report it instead.
What can I do to protect my community?
- Let your fans know that you will never ask them to contact you via a third-party messaging app or other off-platform/private channels – especially not for giveaways, rewards or financial offers.
- Encourage them to report suspicious accounts by:
- Clicking on the impersonator’s profile photo and using the built-in reporting option
- Or submitting a report in our Help Centre by selecting:
- “I want to report suspicious activity”
- “General” for the issue that best describes your situation, then “I want to report a fake/suspicious account”
To help us investigate quickly, please include:
- The name of the creator being impersonated
- A link to the post where the suspicious comment appears
- A copy/paste or screenshot of the comment
Can I limit who comments on my posts?
Yes, you can adjust your page settings to restrict comments to paid members only. However, some scammers may purchase memberships to bypass these limits, so this setting alone may not fully prevent impersonation attempts. To learn more about limiting comments, visit our Comment settings guide
What is Patreon doing to keep my community safe?
We’re actively working to detect and remove impersonators and minimise their impact. Our efforts include:
- Identifying and removing impersonator accounts
- Blocking spammy comments and repeat offenders
- Improving tools to detect impersonation patterns
- Exploring bulk comment deletion tools and simpler reporting flows
These improvements are ongoing; our priority is to make it easier for creators to keep their communities safe.
How do I report or escalate an issue?
If you think someone is impersonating you or scamming your members, please report the post or user directly – or submit a report through our Help Centre.
We’re here to help.