From a young age, we’ve all been taught that life isn’t fair, but what if that lesson was really just conditioning us to accept the inevitability of being scammed?
Maybe that sounds a bit conspiratorial, but think about it: there are countless things we simply accept, from hidden fees to baffling rules that make absolutely no sense. These “silent scams” are so deeply woven into daily life that most of us barely pause to question them.
Below are 22 of the most compelling responses, spanning everything from tax-exempt religious institutions to influencer culture.
3.
“A convenience fee to pay a bill online!!”
5.
“Regarding tips: my rural community had a bodega for decades. Some time ago (pre-COVID), a new owner took over and made the cashier position a tipped job, meaning he only had to pay less than $3/hr. “
8.
“Cell phones, internet, and wi-fi. Why is there such a variation in prices???????????”
—peacefulpony112
10.
“Influencers. What the F is an influencer, anyway?”
11.
“I work in healthcare, and I’ll say right away our system is a joke.”
12.
“Giant billion-dollar companies constantly filing bankruptcy to restructure their debts, justify lay-offs, leverage government subsidies, and cook their books.”
13.
“The IRS said that churches discussing politics is no different than families discussing politics. Ok, but families pay taxes. Also, when my uncle says I’ll go to hell for not supporting his candidate, I don’t believe him.”
14.
“Elections. States are gerrymandered to get the results the party in power wants. The Supreme Court decided in Citizens United that corporations and wealthy people can buy elections. The Supreme Court also dismantled voting rights legislation that protected voters. We’re basically living in an oligarchy now bought by the wealthiest people.”
16.
“Bluetooth printers.”
17.
“Add hearing aids to the list. Those of us who rely on them to function in the hearing world get the privilege of paying for most, if not all, of the costs associated with them.”
18.
“The medical industry, in particular emergency rooms.”
19.
“I love to thrift, but you are always asked to donate $1 at checkout. If you decline, they ask you to round up your total to the nearest dollar. I’m already contributing to your ’causes’ by shopping with you (and lately, your prices have been getting out of control, considering these items were donated and cost you NOTHING).”
20.
“Automobile registration fees. I own the car when I buy it. Why must I let my state know that I still own the car every year? Just another money grab.”
—originalshield943
21.
“Automated phone verification systems.”
22.
“The rich aren’t fearful enough.”
23.
“Airfare ticket prices, and how they keep going up the closer it is to the departure date/time, and how it costs more to get a refundable ticket than a non-refundable one.”
—ladedah
Is there a silent scam you want to share? Tell us what it is and why it’s a scam in the comments or in the anonymous Google Form below: