How can I protect myself from face swap scams?
Reduce Your Exposure
Face swap scams often start with a scammer grabbing your face from social media or a dating profile. Set your accounts to private, avoid posting clear, front-facing photos publicly, and be cautious about what you share in apps that require photo access.
Scammers may also use face swaps in video calls to impersonate someone you trust. If a call seems odd—like poor lighting, unnatural blinking, or audio delays—hang up and verify through another channel.
- Use unique, strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
- Limit public photos of your face, especially close-ups.
- Check app permissions and revoke camera or photo access when not needed.
- Be wary of strangers who quickly ask to move to private messaging.
- Verify unexpected requests for money or personal info by calling the person directly.
What to Do If You're Targeted
If someone threatens to share a face-swapped image, do not pay or send more content. Save evidence, block the account, and report it to the platform and local authorities. Many countries have laws against nonconsensual intimate imagery, including synthetic versions.
Consider using a service like StopNCII.org to hash and block known intimate images from being uploaded to participating platforms. For ongoing harassment, a lawyer or victim advocate can help you understand your options.
Common mistakes
- Believing that only celebrities or public figures are targeted—anyone with a public photo can be a victim.
- Assuming a video call is real because you see a familiar face; face swap filters can be used live.
- Sharing intimate images with someone you met online, which can later be used in a face swap scam.