Scams lurk in the shadows of our daily lives, often undetected and underestimated. It’s time to expose these deceptive schemes and heighten our defenses against their lurking threats.
A user asked the forum, “What scam have we normalized in our lives that we don’t even realize it’s a scam anymore?”. Here are the top responses.
CONVENIENCE FEE
![Young hispanic woman isolated on blue background shouts loud, keeps eyes opened and hands tense.](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/woman-in-red-stripe-shy-and-shocked.jpeg)
“The convenience fee for paying your balance in a way that is convenient for them and also the only form of payment they allow.”
WEBSITES ASKING FOR EMAIL
![Young hispanic woman isolated on blue background screaming with rage.](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/screaming-lady-.jpeg)
“Entering your email before even being able to view the website.”
SHRINKFLATION
![Young beautiful multiethnic woman outdoors drinking from reusable bottle - ecological, sustainable, no waste concept](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/4.-drinking-water-reusable-bottle.jpeg)
“Shrinkflation.
I remember watching an ad for cordial. The biggest selling point of the new cordial was that you only needed to add half the amount of cordial to half the amount of water for the perfect ratio.
It used to be a quarter cordial (rest water). They basically just completely diluted the cordial and were only selling you half the amount for the same price.”
INSURANCE
![Shocked female with her mouth opened spread hands, isolated on white](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/wtf-shocked.jpeg)
“Insurance. I’m going to pay for protection on my car, health, home, etc., just to have the insurance companies make up a thousand excuses not to give some of that money back when something goes wrong for the thing I’m paying protection for.”
COLLEGE
![Close-up photo of a sad african american young woman. Brunette bored at home, tired or stressed. Upset girl sitting on the sofa, having a headache or feeling depressed](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/LONELY-AND-CRY-AND-SAD.jpeg)
“Like, why does college have to be so expensive? It makes no sense.”
BANK OVERDRAFT FEES
![Woman with big hair scrunching her face to make a funny expression](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/evil-woman-wtf.jpeg)
“Bank overdraft fees. Financial institutions rake in billions every year by penalizing poor people for not having enough money. It’s shameful.”
RECYCLING
![Young woman portrait over grey background](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/whatever-3.jpeg)
“Recycling, wish I was wrong, but sadly, I am not. A fraction is actually recycled.”
SOCIAL MEDIA
![Happy girl at home speaking in front of camera for vlog. Young black woman working as blogger, recording video tutorial for Instagram, Facebook and Internet](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/social-media-influencer.jpg)
“Thinking social media is free when all of our data is mined and capitalized.”
WARRANTIES
![young pretty woman feeling stupefied and scared, fearing something frightening, with hands open up front saying stay away](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/wtf-woman-new-1.jpeg)
“Warranties. Anything you get insured always breaks after the warranty has already expired.”
TIPPING
![a plate of coins for a tip or fee toilets. in english](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/tipping-culture.jpg)
“Tipping. It is a scam for business owners to underpay employees, expecting customers to supplement the extremely low wages. They threaten with the “we will have to raise prices” and “we will not be able to afford to stay open” lines to guilt/prey upon our empathy.”
PAYING TAXES
![2. stop now](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2.-stop-now.jpeg)
“Paying taxes on used goods. Some items may get sold 5-10 times, like books, and the government gets taxes EVERY time.”
TRANSACTION FEES
![Young natural and authentic redhead woman impressed holding copy space on palm.](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/wtf-confused.jpeg)
“Fees added to every transaction.”
DIAMONDS
![puzzled beautiful fair-haired woman shrugs shoulders with open palms. she cannot find the sloution of problem,puzzlement. feeling and emotion](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Depositphotos_289023822_L.jpg)
“Diamonds, the greatest marketing scam of all time. Convincing mainly young newlyweds to spend thousands on something with no inherent value and that 99% of the population could not tell from a piece of common glass is a tragic example of worthless materialism and our obsession with purchasing ‘status.’
Expecting many downvotes from the majority that have bought into this scam but won’t look into this further as it is so ingrained in world culture.”
NEW CARS
![Female executive with confused expression standing over white background](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1.-Woman-angry.jpeg)
“New cars. Seems like they have more serious problems than the 90’s cars did or later. Planned obsolescence to fuel the beast. As well as more complicated.
Some mechanics won’t work on some newer cars.”
CERTIFICATIONS
![emotion face. angry mad cross enraged woman. young beautiful blond girl portrait on white background.](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/3.-angry-and-mad.jpeg)
“Certifications. All it is is a money racket that was sold to companies and governments. Just because you can spew a particular flavor of Kool-Aid back out for a test doesn’t mean you know Jack about a particular field.”
12 Cities in the U.S. That Are a Total Nightmare to Live In (or Visit)
![young pretty woman looking shocked, angry, annoyed or disappointed, open mouthed and furious](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/shocked-woman-scam.jpg)
Looking to relocate? Here are 12 cities in the US where you might want to avoid setting up roots. These cities are plagued by problems like high crime rates, poor infrastructure, and a lack of affordable housing. Read here.
15 Things We All Need to Stop Buying. It’s Total Waste Of Money
![A beautiful young Caucasian woman with her hand in her hair.](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/confused-woman-close.jpg)
To save money, reduce clutter, and help the environment, here are 15 things we can all stop buying.
15 “Non-Religious” Cults That Almost Feel Religious. Are You Guilty Of Being A Part Of Any?
![Photo crazy astonished guy see incredible vacation sales discounts impressed, raise modern bright specs wear white clothes isolated over blue color background](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/unbelievable-1.jpg)
So many fads are turning into some “divine” stuff people follow with an “almost religious” devotion. Here are 15 non-religious cults that feel like religious ones.
15 Physical Traits That Might Make You Less Dateable
![Close up photo beautiful her she lady unexpected epic fail arms hands fingers near mouth bite teeth eyes full fear oh no expression wear casual white t-shirt clothes isolated violet purple background.](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/oh-no.jpg)
Physical attraction is an essential factor in many romantic relationships. However, it’s important to remember that everyone has different preferences. Read here.
The Exodus: Why People Are Leaving Religion in Droves
![Surprised and impressed brunette girl looking amazed and pointing fingers down.](https://mrsdaakustudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/shocked-young-woman.jpg)
Religion is a personal and complex topic, and there are many reasons why someone might turn their back on it. Read why people are leaving religion.
This article was originally published on Mrs. Daaku Studio.