No doubt you’ve heard the saying, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is” a million times by now.
That being said, spotting situations that aren’t quite what they seem is a lot easier said than done. When you’re excited about a person or thing, it’s easy to overlook the red flags waving right there in your face. However, if you notice any of these things, you probably need to pump the brakes and consider the reality of what’s right in front of you.
1. You’re pressured to make a decision right away.
Genuine opportunities rarely require immediate action. If someone’s pushing you to decide on the spot, it’s often a tactic to prevent you from thinking too deeply or asking anyone for advice. Take your time to consider offers carefully, and be wary of those who use urgency as a selling point.
2. The promised returns are unrealistically high.
While everyone dreams of striking it rich, be wary of investments or schemes promising astronomical returns with little to no risk. Legitimate investments typically offer more modest, realistic gains. If the potential profit seems too good to be true, it’s worth investigating further before committing your money.
3. There’s a lack of clear, detailed information.
Vague promises and unclear explanations are red flags. Legit opportunities should come with transparent, detailed information about how things work. If you’re struggling to get straight answers or find that explanations are consistently unclear, it’s time to be sceptical.
4. You’re asked to keep it a secret.
Any deal or opportunity that comes with a request for secrecy isn’t one you want to be a part of. Legitimate businesses and opportunities generally don’t need to operate in the shadows. If you’re told not to tell anyone or to keep things quiet, it’s often a sign that something’s not quite right — don’t hang around to figure out what that is.
5. The offer involves unsolicited contact.
Unexpected phone calls, emails, or messages promising amazing opportunities should be approached with caution. Scammers often use these methods to catch people off guard. If you didn’t reach out first, take extra care in verifying the legitimacy of the offer.
6. There’s a request for upfront payment or sensitive information.
Source: Unsplash Be cautious if you’re asked to pay fees upfront or provide sensitive personal or financial information before receiving a product or service. Proper businesses rarely require this. If you’re being pressured to hand over money or data early on, it’s a major red flag.
7. The opportunity lacks a verifiable track record.
Source: Unsplash If an opportunity or product seems amazing but has no history or verifiable success stories, proceed with caution. Look for reviews, testimonials, and evidence of past performance. If these are missing or seem made-up, it’s worth questioning whether the offer on the table is actually real.
8. You’re told it’s a ‘limited time’ or ‘exclusive’ offer.
Source: Unsplash While some real deals are time-sensitive, don’t fall for any that place excessive emphasis on exclusivity or limited availability. It’s an age-old tactic used to create a false sense of urgency and prevent you from really thinking things through. Take your time to evaluate the offer, regardless of claimed time constraints. If it passes you by, so be it. That might even be for the best!
9. The person or company is hard to research.
These days, businesses and people who are worth their salt usually have an online presence. If you can’t find any information about the person or company making the offer, or if the information you do find is sparse or suspicious, it’s a cause for concern.
10. You’re promised guaranteed success or results.
Be sceptical of any opportunity that promises guaranteed success or results. In reality, most ventures involve some level of risk or uncertainty. If someone’s claiming they can guarantee specific outcomes, especially in areas like investments or weight loss, it’s often a sign of an unrealistic or fraudulent offer.
11. The offer involves complex or confusing language.
Sometimes, scammers use unnecessarily complex language or jargon to confuse and impress potential victims. If you’re finding it hard to understand the terms of an offer, even after asking for clarification, it might be intentionally misleading. Real opportunities should be explainable in clear, understandable terms.
12. You’re asked to bypass normal procedures.
Be cautious if you’re asked to ignore standard practices or bypass normal channels. This could involve being asked to wire money to a personal account instead of a business one, or to sign documents without reading them fully. These requests are usually attempts to get around safeguards designed to protect you.
13. The opportunity plays on your emotions.
Offers that heavily rely on emotional appeals rather than facts and logic are dubious at best. Scammers often try to exploit feelings like fear, greed, or compassion to cloud your judgement. If you feel you’re being manipulated emotionally to make a decision, take a step back and evaluate the situation objectively.
14. There’s a lack of professional presentation.
Source: Unsplash While not all proper opportunities come in polished packages, be cautious of offers that lack basic professionalism. This could include poorly written communications, unprofessional websites, or inconsistent branding. Legitimate businesses usually invest in presenting themselves professionally.
15. You’re discouraged from getting second opinions.
Source: Unsplash Be wary if you’re discouraged from discussing the opportunity with friends, family, or financial advisors. Real offers should stand up to scrutiny. If someone’s trying to isolate you from other perspectives, it’s often because they worry that outside input might reveal flaws in their proposal.
16. The offer seems to target vulnerable groups.
Be extra cautious of opportunities that seem to specifically target vulnerable groups like the elderly, students with debt, or people in financial distress. While not all offers to these groups are scams, predatory schemes often focus on those who might be more desperate for a solution.
17. You’re told you’ve won something you never entered.
Source: Unsplash If you’re informed that you’ve won a prize or lottery you don’t remember entering, it’s likely a scam. Real contests require entry, and you can’t win something you didn’t participate in. Be especially wary if you’re asked to pay fees or taxes to claim your ‘winnings’.
