Social Media Squatters

Is someone stealing your clients? Even posing as you or a representative of your company? Thanks to sites like Twitter, it’s happening more and more – it happened to PINK!

So, how can women and their companies identify imposters, counterfeiters and squatters – and protect their companies from them?

“A squatter sits on a Twitter account and never posts any updates,” says Danica Kombol, managing partner at social networking firm Everywhere. “Posers or counterfeiters ‘pose’ as if they’re a celebrity or brand and post false updates,” which can misrepresent businesses and misdirect customers.

It can be an arduous process to reclaim your user name. Luckily, Twitter has a name squatting policy, and Facebook a copyright infringement policy, with step-by-step info on getting your profiles back.

How to keep your accounts safe? “Your best bet is to get there first,” advises Kombol. “Be visible. A brand that is active in social media won’t get confused with a fake account or posers.”

She adds that making sure your website prominently displays your social media links, letting followers know that your account is the real one and reporting any fake accounts you find will help keep your profiles protected.

Want more? Generally, proving that you own the trademark of a name is the quickest way to reclaim the domain, says the Wall Street Journal. Plus, don’t respond to requests for personal information through a message, as a hijacker may be to blame, according to S Commerce.

Bonus PINK Link: Find out how to keep your personal profiles professional and avoid social media mistakes.

Minute Mentor: Lyn Ross, president of Institut DERMed, gives advice on tapping into resources to help your business thrive.

By Caroline Cox

“Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of
a second-rate version of somebody else.” Judy Garland