35 People Share Scams That Are So Normalized, We Don’t Even Realize They’re Scams Anymore
From constant, invasive ads, to subscription services, the modern world has a slew of annoyances that we all seem to dislike, but still participate in. So one account on X ended up creating a viral thread when it asked “What’s a scam that's so normalized that we don’t even realize it’s a scam anymore?”
People from all over the internet showed up to list the obvious deceptions companies pull regularly and we just eat up. So be sure to upvote the most egregious examples as you scroll through and share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below.
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At airports particularly, as you are not allowed to take liquids (except in very small amounts) through security. You have to throw away your cheaply purchases drinks and re-buy them at inflated prices inside the airport. One way round this is to bring a water bottle and refill it with tap water once through security.
Local establishments are the worst ones to do this in my personal experiences. One local supermarket delivers within a 15 mile radius. You must place a minimum $25 dollar order. Ok, no problem. Well, $25 turns into $65 if not even more when you factor in the shopping fee (done by in-store personnel), baggage fee, load-up fee, mileage fee, delivery fee, mandatory tip to driver, which are alll the service fees involved in the delivery service ON top of the taxes/subtotal. If you order online instead of over the phone they’ll charge you a fee for that too. Not saying major chain stores don’t do this, but it seems to be the “homegrown” ones that take the most advantage of this practice. Why? When you shop local, the money you spend stays local; stays in the community. They’ll find every possible way they can to take advantage of that “benefit” and cash in as big as they can, including ringing up a bunch of b******t service fees they can choke on.
A car might often be the fastest way to get from one city to another (although I found that here in Germany, I usually am faster by train). But needing a car INSIDE a city makes no sense. It's the effect of absurd zoning laws. You don't need a car if shopping, culture, schools, parks and work are all in a fifteen minute radius.
I don't see working 40 hours a week as a scam. I see travelling into and out of work for 18 hours a week in addition to the 40 hours as the scam. PS, minimum wage in my country is twice minimum wage in the USA.
I've seen things before that were like that: Product 30$, Delivery 45$, and I can only say what the FŪCK is with those hidden fees? I don't believe for a second this is real delivery fees, they're just trying to hide the true price
I've lived in Japan now for almost 25 years. I have 0 US income. However, as a US citizen, I'm required by law to not only file an income tax return, even though I inevitably owe zero tax, but also file a form with the Treasury Department showing how much money I have in the bank.
No one is making you buy it? Water isn't clean enough for drinking in some cities/countries
Typically, if you're at a restaurant that sells a burger for $15 without a side they can't afford to include that side. There's a reason for separate charges on typically included items in comparison. However, even at fast food chains, individual items don't just come with fries and a drink unless you order it as a combo and pay more for it, so fries/a side shouldn't always be something that's expected.
What is with all the people saying "you don't HAVE to play the lottery"? A thing does not have to be mandatory/unavoidable to be a scam.
This is how the government pays for other stuff, like infrastructure. If you own more, you should pay more.
Switched over to Affinity suite long ago because fornicate CC
Definitely a scam. It's been known for many decades that adding more lanes just adds more traffic.
how is a coin operated car wash a scam? love that a lot of these have zero context or explanation
Politicians...vote for me I can make a change.........then there they are claiming everything in expenses, claiming what they can, ignoring the people who elected them and then immediately say "Vote for me I can make a change" and people do
The problem is there is no one to elect that isn't a thieving POS. You vote someone in hoping their better but it turns out their stealing from you and hope you die so you can just leave them alone with you complaints about "starvation" and "homelessness".
Load More Replies...How about the Government profiting off the illegal drug trade by taking large sums of cash for itself from it. That's a huge scam, and perfectly legal.
how is a coin operated car wash a scam? love that a lot of these have zero context or explanation
Politicians...vote for me I can make a change.........then there they are claiming everything in expenses, claiming what they can, ignoring the people who elected them and then immediately say "Vote for me I can make a change" and people do
The problem is there is no one to elect that isn't a thieving POS. You vote someone in hoping their better but it turns out their stealing from you and hope you die so you can just leave them alone with you complaints about "starvation" and "homelessness".
Load More Replies...How about the Government profiting off the illegal drug trade by taking large sums of cash for itself from it. That's a huge scam, and perfectly legal.