I Checked FaceCheck.ID’s Accuracy for Finding Social Media Profiles — My Shocking Experience

Disclosure: Some links, like Social Catfish, are tools I’ve personally used and trust. I may receive a small benefit if you use them, at no extra cost to you. My recommendations are based on my own experience

It was just another Tuesday morning when my phone rang. My friend Zariah's voice came through, confused and concerned. "Liora, I sent that $200 you needed for your emergency. Did you get it?" My heart stopped. I hadn't asked anyone for money. That's when I realized someone had created a fake version of me online - using my photos, my name, and even personal details to scam my friends.

My Search for Answers Begins

Panicked, I turned to the internet for solutions. Google suggested several reverse image search tools that could help identify where my photos were being used. The first one I tried was FaceCheck.ID, which promised to find social media profiles using facial recognition technology.

I uploaded my profile picture, the same one being used on the fake account. The site showed several potential matches across different platforms. But when I tried to view the actual results, I hit a wall. FaceCheck.ID required payment in cryptocurrency - $6 worth of Bitcoin for just 36 credits. In 2025, when nearly every service accepts credit cards or digital payments, this felt suspicious. I searched for reviews and found mixed opinions - some users swore by its accuracy while others warned about false matches and the crypto-only payment system.

FaceCheck.ID can be effective for identifying social media profiles, including those on Facebook and Instagram, using reverse image search and facial recognition. However, it’s not free—it costs $6 for 30 credits and only accepts cryptocurrency like Bitcoin or Litecoin, which may be inconvenient for many users. For a more user-friendly and accurate alternative, Social Catfish is a better choice. It delivers deeper results, covers major platforms like Facebook and Instagram, accepts standard payment methods, and is often more reliable.

Finding a Better Solution - Social Catfish

Frustrated, I remembered hearing about Social Catfish from a cybersecurity podcast. Unlike FaceCheck.ID, their website looked professional and accepted standard payment methods. I uploaded my photo again, this time to SocialCatfish's reverse image search tool.

Within minutes, the results appeared - and they were terrifying. The search revealed four different Instagram accounts using variations of my name and photos. There were also two Facebook profiles with my childhood pictures. Each result came with direct links, making it easy to report the impersonators.

After paying the $5 fee, I decided to explore Social Catfish's other features. Curious if my phone number had been compromised too, I tried SocialCatfish's reverse phone lookup. The results shocked me—two fake Instagram accounts had linked my personal number! I still don't know how they got it, but Social Catfish's phone search exposed what FaceCheck.ID couldn't. This tool doesn't just find fake profiles—it reveals how deep the impersonation goes.

Taking Action Against the Fake Profiles

Armed with this information, I immediately began reporting the accounts. Instagram's impersonation reporting process was straightforward, though it took about a week for the fake profiles to be removed. The Facebook accounts disappeared even faster.

What shocked me most was how convincing these fake profiles looked. They had copied my bio information, even using inside jokes that only close friends would know. The scammer had clearly studied my real social media presence carefully.

How to Protect Yourself

This experience taught me several important lessons about online safety. First, I now regularly search for my images online using tools like Social Catfish. I've also started watermarking my personal photos with subtle timestamps. Perhaps most importantly, I've educated my friends and family about how to verify it's really me contacting them - we've established code words and verification methods.

While FaceCheck.ID might work for some people, the cryptocurrency requirement and mixed reviews made me uncomfortable. Social Catfish provided a more reliable, transparent service that actually helped solve my problem. In situations like this, where your reputation and relationships are at stake, it's worth using a trusted service with clear results.

The internet makes it frighteningly easy for someone to pretend to be you. But with the right tools and precautions, you can fight back against digital impersonation. My experience was scary, but it taught me valuable lessons about protecting my online identity that I'll carry with me forever.