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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. 

Image source: PicturesFoIder

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    #5

    Normalized-Scams

    thatsmediva Report

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    The Scout
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, here in Germany laws had been passed that anything that you could subscribe to online must also be cancelable online. A recent study found that about half of the companies ignore this, though.

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    #7

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    The Scout
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't worry about AI taking over the world as long as the algorithms still are like "Hey! You bought a new toilet seat? Here's a thousand more to add to your toilet seat collection!"

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    #8

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    Robert T
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #9

    Normalized-Scams

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    TonyTee
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Social media is perhaps the worst influence on our society today. I’ve been limiting my social media use since August for that reason. It corrupts one’s mind. It’s addicting for that reason. Unsurprisingly, the almighty dollar plays a huge role in it. 😏

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    #10

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    TonyTee
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #13

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    similarly
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I also think it should be illegal for a university professor to require to buy the professor's own book.

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    #14

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    The Scout
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #15

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    David A Paterson
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #17

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    WindySwede
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Here we just pay for what we ordered? Strange, I know... 🤷‍♂️

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    #18

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    Zedrapazia
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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

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    #19

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    #20

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    similarly
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #21

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    Em
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ha, I remember a few years back when the closest you got to wifi was paying per minute to use a computer in the airport.

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    #22

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    James016
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Buy a bucket, car shampoo, a sponge and a chamois leather rag and do it yourself.

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    #23

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    80 Van
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don’t see how that’s a scam. Maybe a bummer, but it is not a necessity for normal use of the phone.

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    #24

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    Frank
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I guess that living in the USA is one of the biggest rip-offs in the world.

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    #25

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    lily jones
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No one is making you buy it? Water isn't clean enough for drinking in some cities/countries

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    #28

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    SonicAlchemy
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #29

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    John Harrison
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #30

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    Lame Llama
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is how the government pays for other stuff, like infrastructure. If you own more, you should pay more.

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    #34

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    GettingCereal
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Definitely a scam. It's been known for many decades that adding more lanes just adds more traffic.

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    #35

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    WindySwede
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In Sweden its been changed recently. A plate model(?). Mer vegetables I guess? https://www.livsmedelsverket.se/matvanor-halsa--miljo/kostrad/tallriksmodellen#

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    #36

    Normalized-Scams

    Wildcardxoxo Report

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    Robin
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am happy to pay for TV licence, it should find interesting and innovative entertainment that is not constrained by having to cater to a mass audience. Same goes for using that money to produce educational materials. I have no problem with that at all.

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