Bored Panda
“We Have Literally So Much Information Now”: 35 Massive Scams People Are Still Buying Into

“We Have Literally So Much Information Now”: 35 Massive Scams People Are Still Buying Into

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I have a huge business opportunity that you’re going to love! You’ll be earning six figures, have flexible hours and be able to work from anywhere in the world. All you have to do is invest $5,000 up front, and I guarantee that you’ll earn it back in no time!
If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. But unfortunately, plenty of people fall for scams every single day. Whether it’s a “Nigerian prince” sliding into their DMs or a grandchild begging Nana to cover their hospital bills, scams are running rampant all over the globe. To raise awareness for some of these schemes, Redditors have recently been discussing common scams people fall victim to, as well as things that are absolute wastes of money. Enjoy scrolling through this list, and be sure to upvote the things you would never give a dollar to!

#1

“We Have Literally So Much Information Now”: 35 Massive Scams People Are Still Buying Into
Prosperity Gospel Preachers.

Battarray:

Specifically Joel Osteen and his ilk. They're why we should be taxing performative mega-churches like they live off of.
125points

#3

“We Have Literally So Much Information Now”: 35 Massive Scams People Are Still Buying Into
Health insurance in America. Paying $400 monthly only to still have a $5000 deductible and argue with insurance companies about 'in-network' doctors. It's basically paying for the privilege of paying more.
92points

To find out how this conversation started in the first place, we reached out to HurtHurtsMe, the Reddit user who posed the question, "What do you consider to be the biggest scam?” They were kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and explain what inspired them to start this thread.

"With the holiday season and change in weather, it’s hard seeing clothing prices jump around," the author shared. "A jacket could be $50 original price but on sale for $22. Then the next day, it’s the lowest price of the season sale! 50% off. Same jacket is marked back to $50 with 50% off to equal $25. If you are not actively stalking pricing, you could get scammed into what you think is a good deal based on retail messaging."

#5

“We Have Literally So Much Information Now”: 35 Massive Scams People Are Still Buying Into
Funerals, weddings, and pretty much every other thing we blindly accept have to be insanely expensive without even thinking about it.
88points

#6

“We Have Literally So Much Information Now”: 35 Massive Scams People Are Still Buying Into
Tipping and tip workers, tip shame, tip expectations.

THE_Lena:

This! Their income should be paid by their employer not the customer.
82points

When it comes to what the OP considers to be the biggest scam, they shared, "Higher Education costs are outrageous."

On average, it costs students in the United States $108,584 to attend college for 4 years, and they can spend even more if they go to school outside of their home state or at a private university.

#7

“We Have Literally So Much Information Now”: 35 Massive Scams People Are Still Buying Into
The wealth is going to "trickle down".
Report
80points

#8

“We Have Literally So Much Information Now”: 35 Massive Scams People Are Still Buying Into
"Detoxing" your gut/armpits/body. Your body does it for you if you're a healthy individual. Most of the bacteria in your gut is beneficial and necessary.
79points

#9

“We Have Literally So Much Information Now”: 35 Massive Scams People Are Still Buying Into
"Grandma? I'm calling from the police/hospital. Can you send me money?
76points

We were also curious what the author thought of the replies to their post. "I agree that eye glasses costs are a scam," HurtHurtsMe said.

And as far as avoiding scams, the OP recommends that consumers do their own research "and not take things at face value."

#10

“We Have Literally So Much Information Now”: 35 Massive Scams People Are Still Buying Into
Having to pay for daily parking at your place of employment.
75points

#11

“We Have Literally So Much Information Now”: 35 Massive Scams People Are Still Buying Into
I think unrealistic beauty standards pushed by media are the biggest scam.
69points

#12

“We Have Literally So Much Information Now”: 35 Massive Scams People Are Still Buying Into
The Mormon "Church" - check out the r/exmormon subreddit for more details.

It is a real estate and securities hedge fund masquerading as a church in order to maintain tax exemption.
68points

#13

“We Have Literally So Much Information Now”: 35 Massive Scams People Are Still Buying Into
Organic food in the U.S.

The regulations have been so watered down as to be meaningless….

Leading_Preparation6:

Happy to see this. It was my thesis topic and it’s definitely not what people think it is. Buy the “cheaper” version or grow your own because the USDA organic label means next to nothing.
67points

#14

“We Have Literally So Much Information Now”: 35 Massive Scams People Are Still Buying Into
Printer ink. My printer cost $50 but replacing all the cartridges costs $75. Make it make sense.
64points

#15

“We Have Literally So Much Information Now”: 35 Massive Scams People Are Still Buying Into
Multi level marketing schemes. We have literally so much information now about how they are predatory. It’s disgusting how a lot of them target low income mothers who feel guilty about spending time away from home to work and earn a living.

life-love:

Not gonna lie, I attended one of those pyramid scheme meetings at my friend's insistence and man it was filled with low-income people and the whole thing was clearly targeted at them. Felt really bad seeing how they were being sold dreams of earning a lot of money and stuff. Such a scam.
60points

#16

“We Have Literally So Much Information Now”: 35 Massive Scams People Are Still Buying Into
Fake, RICH celebrities on Facebook begging for money.

cbostwick94:

The number of times "Vin Diesel" has confessed his love to my mother on Facebook is wild. Man has a LOT of accounts
52points

#17

“We Have Literally So Much Information Now”: 35 Massive Scams People Are Still Buying Into
My stepfather texted me a year ago saying "your mom and I won a lottery, we just need to go to the store to get some cards to pay for the taxes". Like cmon man, I know you are smarter than this. Thankfully enough all I had to do is ask him why would they make you use gift cards to pay taxes instead of just paying the IRS? He immediately connected the dots.
50points

#18

“We Have Literally So Much Information Now”: 35 Massive Scams People Are Still Buying Into
The email/text “this is the United Postal Service, your package has been delayed, we need you to verify name, address, and card information for delivery” gotten those dozens of times when I don’t have any packages on the way, but a ton of friends have fallen for it.
49points

#19

“We Have Literally So Much Information Now”: 35 Massive Scams People Are Still Buying Into
Literally anything related to the slimy Kenneth Copeland Ministries. That guy is one of the biggest con artists, if not THE biggest, to ever exist in this country.
Report
47points

#20

“We Have Literally So Much Information Now”: 35 Massive Scams People Are Still Buying Into
Payday loans. The interest rates are atrocious. They prey on the poor.
47points
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