What should your standard bio or pinned post say to protect your audience from impersonators?
Your bio and pinned post are the two pieces of content that subscribers are most likely to check when they are uncertain whether a communication they received is genuine. Both must carry the same protective message: these are my only authentic channels; I never ask for registration fees; here is how to verify you are talking to the real me. These are not formalities — they are active fraud prevention tools that reduce the number of victims every impersonation scam creates.
The standard bio — what every platform profile must include
A protective bio for any numismatic content creator should contain four elements in plain, clear language: (1) official status identifier — 'Official UNC Museum' or 'The Real [Name] — verified channel'; (2) channel uniqueness — 'Only one official YouTube channel'; (3) the registration fee disclaimer — 'I NEVER ask for registration fees'; (4) verification pointer — 'Check monthly verification posts to confirm this account'; (5) if space permits: official contact — 'Official email: [email] only.'
For YouTube: the channel description is more visible than many creators realise — it appears in search results and on the channel About page. Include the bio content in the first two lines of the channel description (the portion visible without clicking 'more'). Add your official website or a linktree page that lists only your authentic channels. For Instagram: bio is limited to 150 characters — prioritise 'Official UNC Museum | NEVER asks for reg fees | Verify: monthly posts.' For WhatsApp Business: the business description field accommodates a longer disclaimer — use it fully.
The pinned post — the most important single piece of content for impersonation protection
The pinned post should be updated monthly (as part of the Q485 verification routine) and should serve as the definitive authentication reference for any subscriber who doubts an account's legitimacy. A complete monthly pinned post: 'OFFICIAL MONTHLY VERIFICATION — [Month Year] | This is the ONLY official UNC Museum channel. I post at: YouTube: [exact URL] | Instagram: @[handle] | I NEVER: ask for registration fees; DM to offer to buy your note; ask for advance payments; share my personal phone number with strangers. If anyone contacts you claiming to be UNC Museum through any other account, channel, or number — please report immediately to: [official email] AND cybercrime.gov.in AND call 1930 if you have paid money. Your monthly proof that this is real: [dated selfie photograph].'
Language and reach — Hindi and regional languages
The most vulnerable subscribers are those who primarily use Hindi or regional languages and who interact with numismatic communities through regional language WhatsApp groups and Telegram channels. A bio and pinned post in English only reaches a fraction of your subscriber base. Publish the pinned post in both English and Hindi — and, if your subscriber base includes significant numbers from specific states, in the relevant regional language. A subscriber who receives a fraudulent WhatsApp message in Hindi claiming to be from 'UNC Museum' and who can check a pinned post in Hindi saying 'Main kabhi registration fee nahi maangta' has a clear, accessible reference in their own language.
Laws & authorities referenced in this chapter
IT Act 2000 — §66C (identity theft: bio and pinned post create authenticated identity baseline predating impersonation)
Consumer Protection Act 2019 — §2(47): public 'I never request fees' statement reduces scammer's ability to claim you endorsed their solicitation
BNS 2023 — §318 (cheating: victim who saw your pinned post before paying has reduced 'reasonable reliance' on impersonator — weakens scammer's defence that victim should have believed them)
Bio (every platform): 'Official [Name] | Only one official channel | I NEVER ask for registration fees | Verify: monthly posts.' Pinned post (updated monthly): dated selfie + all authentic handles + all payment channels + what you never do + what to do if you suspect impersonation + how to report. Translate to Hindi and regional languages of your subscriber base — the most vulnerable subscribers access content in regional languages. Monthly update makes it current; dated selfie makes it verifiable; specific 'NEVER' statements are the most protective element.
This is educational content, not legal advice. For a specific situation, please consult a qualified legal professional. Excerpted from Currency, Coins & The Law by Mayank Agarwal, Part 42: YouTube Impersonation & Registration Fee Scams — Platform-Specific Legal Response.