How to Report Fake Reddit Accounts and Mods Sharing Your Content

Reddit thrives on anonymity, community moderation, and user-generated content—but those same strengths can also create problems. Fake accounts, impersonators, and even rogue moderators sometimes repost or steal original content without permission. If your work is being shared by fake Reddit accounts or misused by moderators, you’re not powerless.

Understanding the Problem

Content theft on Reddit usually falls into one of these categories:

• Fake or impersonator accounts reposting your work to farm karma
• Bots automatically copying posts from blogs, YouTube, or social media
• Moderators abusing their position by pinning, monetizing, or redistributing your content
• Cross-posting without credit, even after requests to stop

Scammers often impersonate moderators to pressure community members into providing personal information or money. Legitimate moderators will never pressure users privately for account verification or payment.

While Reddit encourages sharing, it also expects users to respect copyright, attribution, and moderator ethics. Community members should be cautious of messages that pressure them to respond quickly or involve payments.

Step 1: Confirm the Account or Mod Is Acting in Bad Faith

Before reporting, make sure the issue is legitimate. Ask yourself:

• Is the content copied word-for-word or slightly altered?
• Is there attribution or a link back to you?
• Is the account brand new, inactive elsewhere, or posting at bot-like speed?
• Is a moderator ignoring removal requests or using mod tools to suppress your complaints?

Note: Ensure you have clear evidence before submitting a report.

If the answer to several of these is “yes,” you likely have grounds to report.

Step 2: Collect Solid Evidence

Reddit acts faster when reports are well-documented. Gather:

• Direct links to the stolen post or comment
• Screenshots showing your original content and the copied version
• Timestamps proving your content was published first
• Links to your original work (blog post, YouTube video, tweet, etc.)
• Moderator usernames if a mod is involved

Pro tip: Save screenshots locally in case the content is deleted later.

Step 3: Report Fake or Impersonator Accounts

If the account is pretending to be you or someone else:

1. Click the user’s profile
2. Select “Report”
3. Choose “Impersonation” or “Harassment”, depending on the situation
4. Add details explaining who they are impersonating and how

For serious cases, you can also report impersonation directly via Reddit’s help center form.

Step 4: Report Stolen Content (Copyright Infringement)

If your original work is reposted without permission, you can file a DMCA takedown request.

This is especially effective if:

• The content is copied in full
• It’s monetized or used to promote something
• The poster refuses to credit or remove it

You’ll need:

• Your legal name (or company name)
• A link to the infringing content
• A link to your original content
• A statement affirming ownership

Reddit typically removes infringing content within a few days once a valid request is submitted.

Step 5: Reporting Moderator Abuse

Moderators are not above Reddit’s rules. You can report mods if they:

• Steal content themselves
• Protect fake accounts posting stolen work
• Remove your complaints to hide wrongdoing
• Use mod powers to harass or silence you

How to report:

1. Visit Reddit’s Moderator Code of Conduct report form
2. Provide:
   
   • Subreddit name
   • Moderator usernames
   • Links to abuse or stolen content
   • Evidence of misconduct

Be factual and calm—emotional accusations weaken reports.

Step 6: Try Direct Communication (Optional but Strategic)

In some cases, sending a short, professional message works:

“Hi, this post contains my original content published on [date]. I’m requesting removal or proper credit. Thanks.”

Avoid threats or insults. If they ignore you, your message becomes proof that you attempted resolution before reporting.

Step 7: Protect Your Content Going Forward

While you can’t stop all theft, you can reduce it:

• Watermark images and videos
• Add clear copyright notices on your site
• Use canonical links on blog posts
• Monitor Reddit with keyword alerts or tools like Google Alerts
• Keep a content archive with timestamps

Creators who document their work thoroughly are taken more seriously by platforms.

Introduction to Reddit Safety

• Reddit is a social network with thousands of online communities, and to keep it safe, users should - treat Reddit like any public space: avoid sharing private details or rushing replies.
• The Reddit team works to - restrict access to reddit content to trusted partners with authorized access, ensuring that making Reddit content available is managed carefully to protect user privacy. Developers must adhere to strict policies when accessing Reddit content through APIs or platform integrations.
• Users can help by reporting suspicious activity, such as - fake accounts or mods sharing their content without permission. Reddit is also a source of news and topical discussions in many communities.
• To stay safe, users should - enable two-factor authentication (2FA) to secure their Reddit account.
• It’s also essential to - understand the content policy violations and how to report them.

Understanding Fake Accounts and Mods

• Fake accounts can be used to - spam or spread misinformation, and can be identified by their - suspicious links or comments.
• Volunteer moderators and subreddit moderators work together to - moderate content and keep communities safe.
• However, - fake mods can impersonate real ones to gain trust and - take over accounts.
• Users should be cautious of - private messages or chat messages from unknown mods, and - never give out login details or password information.
• To verify the authenticity of a mod, users can - check the mod’s username against the subreddit sidebar.

Recognizing Suspicious Activity

• Users should be aware of - suspicious activity, such as - fake accounts or mods sharing their content without permission.
• They should also watch out for - emergency disclosure requests or - unauthorized access to their account.
• If a user notices any - suspicious links or comments, they should - report them immediately.
• It’s also important to - keep an eye on account activity, such as - log-ins from unknown locations or - changes to account settings.
• Users should - receive notices if someone tries to access their account from a new device or location.

Reporting Fake Accounts

• If a user suspects a - fake account or mod, they should - report it to the Reddit team immediately.
• They can do this by - submitting a report through the app or website, or by - contacting the moderation team directly.
• When reporting, users should - provide as much information as possible, including - screenshots or links to the suspicious content.
• The Reddit team will then - review the report and take action on a - case by case basis.
• Users can also - report content policy violations, such as - spam or harassment.

Protecting Your Content

• To protect their content, users should - be cautious when sharing personal information or - confidential information.
• They should also - use strong passwords and - enable two-factor authentication (2FA) to secure their Reddit account.
• Additionally, users can - restrict access to their content by - using privacy settings or - blocking specific users.
• It’s also essential to - keep software and mobile applications up to date to prevent - security vulnerabilities.
• Users should - create strong and unique passwords for their Reddit account and - avoid using the same password across multiple platforms.

IP Addresses and Security

• Reddit stores - IP addresses for a certain period, but - deletes them after 100 days automatically.
• However, - IP addresses used to create an account (registration IP) are retained longer.
• Users should be aware that - IP addresses can be used to - identify and block suspicious activity.
• To stay safe, users should - use a VPN or other security measures to protect their - IP address and online activity.
• Reddit also - monitors IP addresses to prevent - bad actors from accessing the platform.

Program Guidelines and Rules

• The Reddit team has program guidelines and rules in place to ensure good faith and fair use of the platform. Reddit may restrict access to content that violates local laws even if it does not violate Reddit's Rules.
• Users should read and follow these guidelines to avoid content policy violations or account suspension. Users may delete their accounts at any time, and deleted accounts cannot be reactivated.
• The guidelines cover topics such as spam, harassment, and confidential information. Reddit may disclose limited account information to law enforcement without legal process in emergencies.
• Users can find more information on Reddit’s Help Center or by contacting the moderation team. Requests for account information must be directed to Reddit, Inc. or Reddit Netherlands B.V. depending on the user's location, and the proper method of service should be followed.
• The guidelines are in place to protect users and maintain a safe and respectful community.

Preventing Account Compromise

Keeping your Reddit account secure is essential for protecting your personal information and maintaining your reputation within online communities. To restrict access to your account and prevent account takeover, always use strong, unique login details—choose a username and password that you don’t use on any other social network or platform. Enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security, making it much harder for bad actors to gain unauthorized access.

Be especially cautious when you receive a private message or chat message from another user, particularly if it asks for confidential information or contains suspicious links. Never share your password, login details, or other sensitive data in response to any message, even if it appears to come from a subreddit moderator. To verify a moderator’s identity, check the official moderation team list on the subreddit sidebar before you respond or provide any information.

In rare cases, government agencies may submit an emergency disclosure request to Reddit. The Reddit team reviews these requests on a case-by-case basis, ensuring that your privacy and the security of your account are protected according to applicable laws and Reddit’s own rules.

To further protect yourself from fake accounts and potential scams, be wary of unsolicited contact via private message or chat, especially if the user is asking for personal details or promoting suspicious content. If you encounter any questionable activity, report it directly to the Reddit team using the platform’s reporting tools. Avoid engaging with users who seem to be spamming, impersonating moderators, or attempting to phish for your information.

When creating a new account, select a unique username and a strong password, and enable 2FA right away. Avoid using single sign-on services that could put your Reddit account at risk if another platform is compromised. If you’re a moderator, always use mod mail for official communications with your moderation team, and be alert to any suspicious messages or links that could indicate an attempt to compromise your account.

If you’re ever reported for a content policy violation, the Reddit team will review the reported content and may restrict access to specific content or require you to verify your account. You’ll receive a notice with details about the violation and instructions for providing any additional information needed to resolve the issue.

To stay safe, treat Reddit as a public online community—be mindful of what you share, keep your mobile applications and browser up to date, and use reputable security software to protect your device. By following these best practices and remaining vigilant, you can help prevent account compromise and enjoy a secure experience on Reddit. If you ever have concerns about your account or need to request support, don’t hesitate to contact the Reddit team for assistance.

What Not to Do

• Don’t brigade or rally users to attack the account
• Don’t threaten legal action unless you’re prepared to follow through
• Don’t repost the stolen content yourself to “prove a point”
• Don’t spam Reddit admins with duplicate reports

These actions can backfire and put your own account at risk.

Final Thoughts

Reddit can be an incredible source of traffic and community—but when fake accounts or unethical moderators cross the line, knowing how to respond matters. By documenting your work, using the right reporting channels, and staying professional, you dramatically increase the odds of having stolen content removed and bad actors held accountable.

FAQs

1. Can I report a Reddit account for stealing my content?

Yes. If someone reposts your original content without permission or proper credit, you can report the post directly or submit a DMCA copyright infringement request to Reddit. Providing links, timestamps, and proof of ownership increases the chance of removal.

2. What should I do if a Reddit moderator is sharing or protecting stolen content?

Moderators must follow Reddit’s Moderator Code of Conduct. If a mod is abusing their role—by reposting your content, ignoring valid takedown requests, or silencing complaints—you can report them through Reddit’s official moderator misconduct report form with evidence.

3. How can I tell if a Reddit account is fake or a bot?

Fake or bot accounts often have very new profiles, low engagement outside reposts, repetitive posting behavior, or copy content word-for-word across multiple subreddits. Lack of original comments and rapid posting are common red flags.

4. Will Reddit remove stolen content quickly?

It depends on the type of report. Standard reports may take time, but DMCA takedown requests are usually handled faster—often within a few business days—if the request is complete and valid.

5. Can reporting fake accounts or mods get my own Reddit account banned?

No, as long as your reports are truthful and follow Reddit’s rules. Avoid harassment, false claims, or brigading. Stick to factual evidence and official reporting channels to protect your account.

‍