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30 Scams That Are So Normalized That We Don’t Realize We’re Being Tricked

30 Scams That Are So Normalized That We Don’t Realize We’re Being Tricked

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Some things are so normal in our society that we don’t even think about it, just accept it the way it is. But the minute you start thinking about it, you realize how questionable it is. And that if people wouldn’t have normalized such a thing, we definitely would understand it to be a scam. 
Today, let’s take a look at some money-related things that would be considered scams if society hadn’t normalized them. 
More info: Reddit 

#1

30 Scams That Are So Normalized That We Don’t Realize We’re Being Tricked
Insurance. You give them money month after month, year after year, and then when it comes time where you need to use it they will try their absolute hardest to give you as little as possible
234points

#2

30 Scams That Are So Normalized That We Don’t Realize We’re Being Tricked
Healthcare not including dental and vision
174points

#3

30 Scams That Are So Normalized That We Don’t Realize We’re Being Tricked
inflation since covid
149points

Bored Panda reached out to sociologist Deborah Lupton. Check out her blog

We asked her what factors contribute to social acceptance of morally questionable things. She answered that it is all due to social norms and their changeability. “Behaviors once considered normal became socially repugnant and people were expected to adhere to these new norms to be considered socially acceptable. It is often the wealthy and powerful who influence others (for good or for worse).” 

So, we can guess that it’s only a matter of time before we start to question certain financial and social norms of today. And then they will change into something else. 

#4

30 Scams That Are So Normalized That We Don’t Realize We’re Being Tricked
Subscription services in vehicles. Pay monthly/yearly for heated seats or to unlock performance mode. I don't get how people support this business practice.
110points

#5

30 Scams That Are So Normalized That We Don’t Realize We’re Being Tricked
I have to pay a 3% convenience fee to pay my rent online… I literally have to pay to pay my rent, it’s disgraceful.
108points

#6

30 Scams That Are So Normalized That We Don’t Realize We’re Being Tricked
Landlords buy up property they don’t need so they can sell it back at an extreme markup as rent to people who actually do need it. With almost any other commodity it would be called scalping, and be regarded as the scam that it is, but with a commodity so material we literally call it “real estate”, we just act like this is how things are supposed to be.
100points

We also asked her how socially accepted morally questionable things reflect the cultural values and society itself. The sociologist replied that “What is considered socially acceptable and 'normal' in any society at any historical period is reflective of broader social issues and expectations, as well as those who are in power as leaders of moral standards at the time."

She added that in societies where religious values are no longer as strong, it usually takes over. “It means that the wealthy and those who control the reins of power in government are the moral authorities.” And well, talking about wealth really does match our topic today. 

#7

30 Scams That Are So Normalized That We Don’t Realize We’re Being Tricked
Ink cartridges
94points

#8

30 Scams That Are So Normalized That We Don’t Realize We’re Being Tricked
Apple.
87points

#9

30 Scams That Are So Normalized That We Don’t Realize We’re Being Tricked
Tipping
83points

Moving on to actual financial scams, do you know how to identify one? Well, these tips can come in handy when you encounter something you guess might be a financial scam. Watch out for:

  • Fake ads that claim that a celebrity recommends it to make big money. 
  • An online contact you have never met in person talking about investing. 
  • Ads, websites, or even emails with testimonials and over-the-top promises. 
  • High-pressure tactics that are meant to rush you to act so you don't 'miss out'.
  • Being asked to promote the scheme to friends and family to earn a commission.

So, take these tips and your common sense into consideration and stay safe from financial scams! 

#10

30 Scams That Are So Normalized That We Don’t Realize We’re Being Tricked
Charging subscription fees to access software on hardware you already own.
"*Our customers pay for our over priced goods, but they appear to still have money. How can we make them buy the product every month without us having to pay to make or ship any new materials*!?"
82points

#11

30 Scams That Are So Normalized That We Don’t Realize We’re Being Tricked
Baby formula. There is NO reason it should cost that much.
80points

#12

30 Scams That Are So Normalized That We Don’t Realize We’re Being Tricked
buying schoolbooks. publishers know you have literally no choice but to buy it and jack up the price in many cases. And some teachers get a cut on those sales which is insanely scummy but somehow tolerated in many schools.
I’ve had classes where you had to pay 150$ for a book we didn’t even use once during the class, but you literally couldn’t do any of the online evaluations unless you bought it. It’s just a way for some company to make an easy 500-600 dollars or more off the back of students.
76points

#13

30 Scams That Are So Normalized That We Don’t Realize We’re Being Tricked
Organized religion
70points

#14

30 Scams That Are So Normalized That We Don’t Realize We’re Being Tricked
Overdraft fees. Tax on being broke.
68points

#15

30 Scams That Are So Normalized That We Don’t Realize We’re Being Tricked
Campaign finances
67points

#16

30 Scams That Are So Normalized That We Don’t Realize We’re Being Tricked
Capitalism . Working hard for peanuts so the people upstairs can get wealthy.
66points

#17

30 Scams That Are So Normalized That We Don’t Realize We’re Being Tricked
Temu, TikTok, Wish
66points

#18

30 Scams That Are So Normalized That We Don’t Realize We’re Being Tricked
Paying the same price for digital games as physical.
Digital should be muuuuuch cheaper.
64points

#19

30 Scams That Are So Normalized That We Don’t Realize We’re Being Tricked
Hospitals taking additional fees on so you have to constantly ask them to itemize it so they remove the bogus add one
62points

#20

30 Scams That Are So Normalized That We Don’t Realize We’re Being Tricked
The whole system of Credit scores
55points
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