Why do I have a LinkedIn account when I never made one?

Having a LinkedIn account you didn’t create can be confusing and concerning. There are a few potential reasons this could happen:

• Someone else created an account using your name and information
• You opened an account in the past but forgot about it
• Your email was erroneously associated with an existing profile

Let’s explore each of these possibilities in more detail and steps you can take to resolve the issue.

Someone Else Created an Account in Your Name

The most likely scenario is that someone else made a LinkedIn profile using your name and perhaps other personal information without your knowledge or consent. This is known as identity theft and unfortunately does occur on social media platforms.

Some reasons someone may create a fake LinkedIn account as you include:

• To pretend to be you for job searching and applications
• To connect to your professional network and contacts
• To access your connections and information for social engineering scams
• As a joke or prank by someone you know

Having an account created as you without authorization can put your identity and professional reputation at risk. Here are some steps to take:

1. Search for the account using your name and review the profile information, connections, etc. Gather details.
2. Report the account through LinkedIn’s reporting channels for impersonation.
3. Check your credit report and continue monitoring your identity and accounts in case of further misuse.
4. Change passwords on your real social media accounts and primary email account.
5. Contact LinkedIn support via email or phone to expedite removal of the unauthorized account.

With an impersonating account, the key is reporting it and disconnecting it from your identity as quickly as possible. LinkedIn should delete fake accounts, but the process may take some time and persistence. Monitor your credit and accounts closely afterward as well.

You Forgot You Signed Up

Another possibility is that you did open a LinkedIn account previously but forgot that you ever registered and created a profile. With over 875 million members, it’s entirely likely you signed up at some point in the past.

Here are some common situations where you may have a long-lost LinkedIn account:

• You created it years ago for a job search or upon starting a new position but stopped actively using it.
• You made an account with an old work or school email that you no longer access or remember.
• Someone helped you set up a profile during a job hunt or networking event that slipped your mind.
• You were required to make a LinkedIn profile for a college course or company program.

If you think you may have just forgotten about ever registering, here are tips for recovering and managing the account:

1. Try resetting the password via email or phone recovery options.
2. Look up the associated email or contacts for clues about when it was created.
3. Review account activity details for last logins, profile edits, etc.
4. Search connections, jobs, and interests for reminders on why you signed up.
5. Update the information and password to take control of your old account.

Recovering your own forgotten LinkedIn account allows you to control the information and connections on it. You can update it or decide to shut it down if you still don’t plan to use it actively.

Email Address Associated by Mistake

The third and final possibility is that your email address became connected to a LinkedIn profile by error or mistake. This can occur a couple ways:

• The account owner accidentally typed in your email instead of their own when registering.
• An old connection of yours entered your email while adding you to their network.
• Your email is similar to the intended one and auto-corrected at sign up.

When this type of mix-up happens, you may receive notifications about profile views, messages, and connection requests never intended for you. Here is what to do:

1. Use LinkedIn’s account recovery to try resetting the password yourself via the mislinked email.
2. Contact LinkedIn customer service to explain the erroneously connected email.
3. Check haveibeenpwned.com to see if your email was exposed in a breach where it could’ve been scraped.
4. Run a Google search on your email address to check for other potentially mislinked accounts.
5. Update passwords and enable two-factor authentication on your real accounts as a precaution.

Getting your email decoupled from the wrong account resolves the confusion. It also prevents further password resets and account modifications since you have access. Alert the actual account owner if possible about their email mix-up.

How to Prevent Suspicious LinkedIn Accounts

Once you’ve claimed or removed the misleading LinkedIn account, you can take steps to avoid potential impersonations and confusion going forward:

• Set up two-factor authentication on your real LinkedIn account and primary email.
• Review LinkedIn’s security tips for stronger passwords and recognizing phishing attempts.
• Be cautious sharing personal information publicly on LinkedIn or other social media sites.
• Google yourself periodically to look for unfamiliar accounts using your name.
• Use online reputation monitoring tools to receive alerts about use of your personal info online.

Following security best practices makes it harder for others to steal your identity. Monitoring your name and online footprint also allows quick detection of any fake accounts created as you.

What to Do If You Can’t Get an Imposter Account Removed

If you exhaust LinkedIn’s reporting and support options without success removing an imposter profile, take these additional steps:

1. File identity theft reports with the FTC and your local police department.
2. Consult a lawyer about sending LinkedIn legal notice to remove the account.
3. Submit DMCA takedown requests if your photos or content are used without consent.
4. Contact LinkedIn’s parent company Microsoft if you still don’t receive a resolution.
5. File a complaint with your state attorney general’s office and the Better Business Bureau.

Continuing to escalate the issue may spur LinkedIn to finally take down the account impersonating you. You have legal rights not to have your identity misused in this way.

Key LinkedIn Imposter Account Stats

To understand the scale of imposter accounts, here are some key statistics according to LinkedIn:

• Up to 50 million fake accounts currently exist on LinkedIn worldwide.
• LinkedIn blocks over 95 million fake accounts from being created every month.
• The company invests over $15 million annually fighting impersonation and misuse.
• Reporting fake accounts has led to a 50% takedown rate for those accounts.

While LinkedIn has enhanced protections, impersonations still routinely occur. Staying vigilant and reporting fakes helps keep your identity secure.

Using LinkedIn to Research Unfamiliar Accounts

When you come across a questionable account anywhere using your name or email, LinkedIn can provide useful clues regarding who created it and why. Here’s how to leverage LinkedIn:

1. Search for the name, photo, employment details, and other info from the account.
2. Look for matching profiles on LinkedIn to uncover the actual owner.
3. Check their connections and groups for anything suspicious or revealing.
4. Use LinkedIn’s reporting tools if you confirm an imposter account.
5. Compare locations, companies, titles, and timelines to pinpoint the impersonator.

LinkedIn serves as a directory with many real identities, helping differentiate fakes. Research thoroughly when uncertain about a concerning account’s owner or purpose.

Pro Tips for Spotting LinkedIn Impersonators

Here are expert tips for analyzing a questionable LinkedIn account to determine if it’s an impersonator:

• Look for profile photos that seem generic, blurry, or computer-generated.
• Watch for limited connections and groups only an imposter would join.
• Check experience timeline for overlap with your real work history.
• See if they share your unique name or a slight misspelling of it.
• Watch for contradictions between locations, titles, companies, and periods.
• See if the account interacts randomly without clear purpose.

An imposter is unlikely to fully mimic your career path and network. Look closely for discrepancies revealing their ruse.

Best Practices for Reporting LinkedIn Impersonators

To maximize the chances of LinkedIn removing an imposter, use these best practices:

• Gather account details like profile URL, name, photos, connections, etc. to include in your report.
• Use LinkedIn’s detailed impersonation reporting form with all relevant examples.
• Follow up via phone and email if not resolved in 2-3 days to check status.
• Stress any harm, threats, or violations of law related to the account misuse.
• Request written confirmation from LinkedIn when account removal is complete.
• Thank LinkedIn reps who assist you and provide feedback on the process.

The more thorough evidence and persistence you provide, the quicker LinkedIn can investigate and disable the imposter account. Avoid generic reports that are easier to ignore.

How to Reclaim Your Online Identity After Impersonation

Reclaiming your identity after a LinkedIn or social media impersonation involves:

• Updating passwords, security settings, and enabling two-factor authentication everywhere.
• Running Google searches to find all uses of your name, email, or handles online.
• Doing an online reputation audit through tools like BrandYourself.
• Posting actively on your real, confirmed accounts to reinforce authenticity.
• Filing DMCA takedowns if your photos or content were stolen.
• Reporting any further fake accounts immediately for fast removal.

The faster you respond to terminate the misuse of your identity, the less lasting impact or harm is caused. Consistency on your real accounts also gradually drowns out fakes.

When to Involve Law Enforcement About LinkedIn Impersonation

Examples of when to escalate a LinkedIn imposter to law enforcement include:

• You suspect the account was made with criminal intent.
• Your identity is used for spam, scams, or malicious activity.
• The impersonator makes threats or extortion attempts.
• Your contacts are targeted with phishing messages.
• The account shares your confidential information.
• You experience direct financial loss or harm.

Under federal cybercrime laws, social media impersonation with intent to defraud or harm is illegal. For serious cases, getting law enforcement involved bolsters chances of recovering damages and preventing future misuse.

What Legal Recourse Exists Against LinkedIn Impersonators?

If you decide to pursue legal action against a LinkedIn imposter, some options include:

• Suing for defamation if they disparaged your reputation while posing as you.
• Suing for unauthorized use of your name, image, trademarks, or copyrights.
• Reporting them for criminal identity theft, fraud, or extortion charges.
• Suing for intentional infliction of emotional distress caused.
• Reporting cyber harassment, stalking, or threats to the police.

A lawyer can advise if grounds exist for civil litigation or pressing criminal charges based on your state’s laws. The more actual damages caused, the stronger your case.

Notable LinkedIn Impersonation Legal Cases

Here are some notable lawsuits against LinkedIn impersonators:

• Meghan Verikas won $20K over fake accounts disparaging her business.
• Dr. Phil sued over accounts diluting his brand and trademark.
• Marci Rubin received damages for accounts harassing and defaming her.
• Michael Levin’s imposter was criminally convicted of theft and fraud.

Successful lawsuits require proving the impersonator knowingly intended to deceive and harm you or illegally benefit themselves.

Concluding Thoughts

Having a LinkedIn account appear out of the blue can certainly be alarming and frustrating. However, with the right detective work and assertive follow up, you can get an imposter profile removed and prevent future misuse of your identity. Be proactive in monitoring your online footprint and use all resolution options if misuse occurs. With vigilance and patience, you can reclaim control of your name and reputation.