Life is full of people and companies that will try to take advantage of you and extract as much of your hard-earned cash as possible. Online fraud and scams alone are estimated to cost a staggering $100 billion worldwide every single year – a number that is rising every day.
Getting ripped off may be a constant threat in all areas, be it healthcare, vacations, or utilities, but that doesn’t mean it’s an inevitably. With the right amount of savvy and sensitivity, you’ll be able to spot a rip-off as soon as you see it and ensure you don’t spend what you don’t have to. Here are some proven ways to avoid getting ripped off in life.
Be Skeptical Of Everything
This one should pretty much go without saying. The number one rule of business is that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t take anything at face value, especially any company that is trying to offer you the whole world in exchange for your cash. When you’re offered something for “free” which definitely shouldn’t be free, that should be your first red flag in any situation.
Trust a Business by the Company It Keeps
The best way to tell if a business is reputable is by the company it keeps. Every business relies on partners in order to operate, so always check who those partners are as this will give you an instant idea of whether or not somewhere is worth your custom. Say you’re looking for an online casino to play some poker or slots on. This casino might have good reviews, but what matters is the partners they operate with. Many online casinos use Instadebit to process deposits and payouts, which has been consistently ranked among the best online deposit solutions. This is how you know it is safe to use and you won’t be ripped off.
Take Your Time
The first person to get ripped off is always the one who is in a rush when it comes to a purchase. How often have you bought something in a hurry only to realize later than you could have bought the same thing at a different store around the corner for half the price? Scam-artists rely on you having not done your research, so don’t give them the opportunity to misinform you. Always do your research before making a purchase to find out exactly how much you should be paying for something and to prepare yourself for any unexpected costs further down the line.
Dismiss Emotional Pleas
Becoming skilled at avoiding rip-offs requires being able to notice a red flag from the outset. One major sign that you might be about to get ripped off is if a product or service is using excessively emotional language in their appeals to you. This means more than just the usual superlatives about being the greatest XYZ since sliced bread. Is the product or service trying to guilt trip you into handing over money? Suggesting that not doing so would make you a bad person? Implying that not handing over your money would be a missed opportunity that you’ll regret? These are the emotionally manipulative tactics that are the hallmark of the scammer, so avoid them like the plague.
Being able to avoid getting ripped off is simply about having a better-than-average bullsh*t detector. Once you can see a stunt for what it is, you’ll never be ripped off again.
I write like I think—fast, curious, and a little feral. I chase the weird, the witty, and the why-is-this-happening-now. From AI meltdowns to fashion glow-ups, if it makes you raise an eyebrow or rethink your algorithm, I’m probably writing about it. Expect sharp takes, occasional sarcasm, and zero tolerance for boring content.
