How to Avoid Fake Friends

Co-authored by Lisa B. Kift, MFT and Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

Last Updated: September 2, 2021 References

If you’re worried about a friend being fake, it’s likely something is wrong. Unfortunately, fake friends are out there, and they can be really hard to avoid. Luckily, you can learn to spot a two-faced fake friend so you can steer clear of them. If you have a fake friend, it’s best to break ties with them by distancing yourself or telling them your friendship is over. In the meantime, focus on finding real friends who are truly there for you. Check out the tips below to learn how to spot fake friends and avoid them in the future.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Spotting a Two-Faced Friend

1
Notice if they don’t root for you to succeed. A fake friend will be jealous of the good things in your life, so they won’t want you to attain the things you want. They may respond to good news with criticism or negativity, so think about how your friend acts when you tell them about positive changes in your life. Additionally, consider if they make you feel bad when you share good news.^{[1]
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- You might say, “Today I finally received that promotion I’ve been working toward!” They may respond, “Yeah, but don’t you have to work more hours? Say goodbye to your hobbies.”
- Similarly, you could say, “Next month I’m spending a week in Cancun,” and they reply, “Must be nice to leave town whenever you like. Some of us actually have responsibilities.”
2
Pay attention when a friend is caught gossiping or spreading rumors. Gossip and rumors are always cause for concern, even if they’re not about you. A friend who is willing to gossip about someone else will likely talk about you behind your back. Listen carefully to what your friend says about other people. Additionally, take note when people tell you your friend said something about you.^{[2]
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- For example, they might trash talk a mutual friend that you share. Similarly, they may only share bad stories about the people they know, which is a red flag.
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3
Stay away from a friend who judges you. You might notice that your fake friend is critical about how you look, what you do, and what interests you. Similarly, consider if you find yourself feeling bad about yourself after spending time with them. If your friend doesn’t value who you are, then they’re likely a fake friend.^{[3]
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- They might say things like, “I can’t believe you’re actually wearing that,” “Wow, I would quit if I had to do your job,” or “That might be fun to do if you’re boring.”
4
Set boundaries with a friend who’s always trying to compete with you. You may have a close friend who claims to be a big supporter of you but constantly tries to one-up everything you do. Consider if your friend is always trying to top you and if they constantly pursue what you want or have. If this happens, let your friend know that you are rooting for their success and expect them to do the same. Then, limit what you share with them.^{[4]
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- You might say, “It feels like you’re trying to compete with me, but we’re friends. I want you to be happy in life, and I hope you want the same things for me.”
5
Notice if your friend is fake to other people. Listen to how your friend talks about other people versus how they treatment them. If your friend says bad things about a person behind their back but acts nice to their face, they’re being fake. This may mean that your friend is fake to you, as well.^{[5]
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- For instance, your friend might say things like, “Amy is so annoying. I wish we could just stop hanging out with her.” Then, when Amy shows up, your friend might hug her and say, “It’s so good to see you! I’ve really missed spending time with you.”

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Dealing with a User

1
Consider if your friend is using you to help them succeed. You may have a fake friend who’s hoping to use your friendship to help them improve their status at work or school. Notice if your friend asks you to help them with assignments but doesn’t offer help in return. Similarly, pay attention when your friend makes you look bad so they look good.^{[6]
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- For example, your friend might blame you for a late assignment even though it was their fault, or they might tell your boss that you said something you didn’t.
Tip: You’ll commonly encounter this type of friend at work or school. They might use you to get help with an assignment, take credit for your ideas, or use you as a scapegoat for their mistakes.
2
Notice if your friend only wants to hang out when things are going well. Fair-weather friends are people who like spending time with you when your life is going well. Consider if you have a friend that’s always around when you have money and don’t need support but disappears as soon as times get hard. They may be a fair-weather friend.^{[7]
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- For example, a fair-weather friend might spend a lot of time with you while you have a good job and can pick up the tab for meals and drinks. However, they might suddenly be busy when you lose your job and can’t afford to pay anymore.
3
Pay attention if they only contact you when they need something. They might need money, advise, support, or someone to go out with. Notice if every time your friend calls or texts it leads to some type of request or leads to you giving them your time and energy. If they only want you when they need you, they may be a fake friend.^{[8]
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- For instance, after a week of ignoring you they might suddenly text, “Can I borrow $50 until Thursday?” “Can you give me a ride?” or “Today’s been rough.”
Warning: It’s normal for friendships to have some give and take, so your real friends will also rely on you for things sometimes. However, it’s a problem if they only contact you when they need something.
4
Question them when they break off plans at the last minute. Sometimes your friends will cancel plans for a valid reason, and that’s okay. However, a fake friend will cancel plans because something better came up or they just don’t feel like seeing you. When your friend cancels on you, ask them why. If they’re canceling plans often, it may be time to distance yourself from them.^{[9]
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- You might say, “I’m really sorry you can’t make it tonight. Are you okay?”

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Breaking Ties with a Fake Friend

1
Distance yourself from your fake friend. Cut back on how much time you’re spending with your friend. Instead, hang out with people you know care about you, or work on making new friends. During this time, consider if you want to continue with the friendship moving forward.
- You don’t need to tell your friend that you’re distancing yourself from them. Just don’t make plans with them. If they call or text, wait a few hours or days before you get back to them.
2
Avoid sharing your secrets or personal information with them. Don’t tell them anything they might use for gossip or could use to make you look bad. Keep your conversations focused on neutral topics, like the news, weather, and TV shows.^{[10]
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- Try to keep them talking so you don’t have to share anything about yourself. Ask them questions, and show interest in what’s going on in their life. Ask, “What have you been up to lately?” “What’s your new boyfriend like?” and “What are you hoping to do next weekend?”
3
Talk to your friend if you want to break up. Choose a time when you and your friend can talk alone. Then, tell them how your friendship is making you feel, as well as what you want out of a friendship. Thank them for the fun times you’ve had together, but tell them that you think it’s better if you don’t hang out anymore.^{[11]
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- Say, lately I’ve felt really bad about myself after we hang out. I want a friendship that makes me feel good about myself. I really enjoyed the time we spent at the coffee house, so thanks for introducing me to that spot. However, I think we should stop spending time together.”
Tip: Try to keep the focus on how you feel and what you need. Don’t tell your friend what they did wrong or complain about how they behaved.
4
Express the hurt you feel in a letter, then destroy it. You likely want your friend to feel bad about how they made you feel, but it’s unlikely that they’ll see things from your perspective. Your friend probably doesn’t even realize they’re a fake friend. To release your feelings, write a letter to your fake friend about how they made you feel. Then, tear it up or burn it.^{[12]
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- Writing helps you vent all of your thoughts without having to share them with someone else.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Recognizing Real Friends

1
Expect a real friend to be there for you when you need them. When you need a shoulder to cry on or help with a problem, a real friend is going to offer you support. Make sure the friends you choose are reliable and follow through on their promises. This is a sign that they’re a true friend.^{[13]
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- Make sure that you reciprocate and help your friend when they’re in need.
2
Look for friends that want you to be happy. When good things are happening in your life, a true friend will celebrate with you. They’ll be among your biggest supporters, and they’ll always encourage you to go after what you want. Ask yourself if your friends are your biggest cheerleaders. If they are, then they’re likely true friends.^{[15]
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- For example, a true friend will be happy for you when you get engaged, even if they’re single. Similarly, a real friend will be happy for if you get your dream job or a new house.
3
Pick friends who let you be yourself. While fake friends might criticize who you are, a true friend will accept you. They’ll appreciate how you dress and what you like. Ask yourself if you feel comfortable being yourself around your friends. If so, they’re probably true friends.^{[16]
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- When you’re with a true friend, you shouldn’t have to hide how you think or feel. Similarly, you shouldn’t have to dress a certain way.
4
Value friends who put an equal amount of effort into your relationship. When you’re dealing with a fake friend, you might feel like you’re always the person making an effort to keep the friendship alive. However, a true friend will work just as hard as you do. Look for friends who sometimes contact you first and who reach out to make plans.^{[17]
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- If you have a friend who’s been putting equal effort into your friendship but has recently been slacking, talk to them about what’s going on. They may be going through a rough time, so don’t assume that they’re being fake.
5
Make mutual trust the foundation of your friendships. A true friend is someone you can trust with your secrets. At first, just tell the person minor details about yourself. As your trust grows, share more with them.^{[18]
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- Let your trust build gradually. Don’t share your deep secrets with people when you first meet them. Start small and slowly reveal who you are over time.

Warnings

Don’t try to get revenge on a fake friend or try to get back at them for hurting you. This will only prolong your suffering and make you feel worse.^{[19]
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