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There are plenty of seemingly innocent products and services out there that are just elaborate ways of getting you to part with your money. They might not try to bamboozle you as obviously as some spammers and con artists, but underneath all the glitz and glamor, they’re still scams.

Redditors have been sharing their opinions about what things they consider to secretly be giant scams after redditor MelteyReddit asked them to share their thoughts on this. In a viral thread, these redditors touched on everything from baby products and printer ink cartridges to a variety of questionable ‘health’ products and multilevel marketing companies. You could argue one way or the other for some of these, but that’s half the fun.

Check out what these people think are total scams, meant to get you to hand over your hard-earned cash, and upvote the opinions that you agree with as well. Disagree with any of these opinions? Know of any other things that you think aren’t much better than actual scams? Share your thoughts in the comment section. Meanwhile, be sure to read Bored Panda’s in-depth interview with the author of the thread, MelteyReddit.

#1

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams This might be unpopular but here goes.... The Catholic church. Currently worth 30 billion, the Vatican has 8 billion in assets . In 2014, it was discovered they were hiding 1.1 billion off the books. Why aren't these funds going to the poor? In 2019 it was discovered the Vatican was heavily invested in unreported luxury apartments.

Then there's the ugly stuff all this money is financing; Until 2014, the age of consent in Vatican city was 12. Yes. Twelve - the lowest age of consent in the world. It was only changed after the pedophilia scandal took hold. Then there's the wide history of evils brought on by the church; the ivory trade, castration of young boys (castrada), the Spanish Inquisition, Holocaust denial, cutting funding for the poor with LGBQ ties and on and on....

The Catholic church provides a thin veneer of "good" for their followers, but for centuries they've been feeding corruption beneath the surface and continue to do so.

decorama , Reinaldo Kevin Report

#2

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Convincing every high school kid they NEED to go to university. In reality skilled Trades or another specialized school would be the best route for a lot of people, and the pay can be very good.

alp1ne , Honey Yanibel Minaya Cruz Report

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Hugh Willie Mungous
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of the great mistakes of recent Western thinking was the decision to push so many of the young towards higher education (and in to degrees of limited use) and away from apprenticeships. This has resulted in heavily indebted graduates who are of no use to the job market and an extreme skill shortage.

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Redditor MelteyReddit’s question got quite a bit of attention on r/AskReddit. Their thread got 20.2k upvotes and 15.4k comments, while the original poster racked up a whopping 55 awards at the time of writing.

“When I first published my question, I didn't think it would get so much attention. I thought to get a few responses here and there but quickly realized my phone exploded with notifications,” the redditor shared with Bored Panda how they reacted to their post going viral.

“The reason why I think [the question] resonated so well is because it's a very open discussion that can be easily argued about,” they pointed out that there’s quite a bit of nuance in the thread and not everything is as black and white as it seems.

#4

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Any product that's made by Gwyneth Paltrow

lamesas Report

#5

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Anything that says it will detox your body. That's what your kidneys are for.

drromancer , Birgith Roosipuu Report

#6

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams US healthcare system. I went to the ER a few weeks ago for an unknown pain in my chest and overall sh***y feeling. Got slapped with a 1500 bill with what turned out to be viral food poisoning. My brother, who is a doctor, said that was normal. Why the f**k is that normal?!

bluthco , National Cancer Institute Report

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meinespammailadresse1 avatar
A B C
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because that's what a sad majority of the US-Americans wanted and still want, because the Orange tells them lies about how paying such ludicrous amounts (and $1500 is cheap) is better than having universal healthcare. I'm sorry for you folks.

kathrynbaylis_1 avatar
Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let me correct you here. The majority of Americans actually DO want universal healthcare—-even if they don’t understand that’s the name for what they want (the same crowd that’s all in favor of the ACA, but against Obamacare). It’s the politicians who are in the back pockets of Big Pharma and Big Health Insurance who keep shooting it down, because their puppet masters threaten to pull their campaign donations if they don’t.

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akalvin avatar
Akalvin
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, in most european countries it would have cost you ZERO.

m2crows avatar
Mike Crow
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I talked to an American about universal healthcare a while back and he said he was against it because it took away his freedom.

jflatt244 avatar
Watching
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The fact that he used the word "freedom" tells us he's Trump Trash. They literally don't even care about their own children. The most self-absorbed people in our country.

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nicoleveltri avatar
nicole veltri
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've had to file bankruptcy twice. Once because of kidney stones and once for brain surgery. Working poor in us are lucky to have any health care. Haven't seen a dentist in 20 years.

bcgrote avatar
cassandra avatar
sally
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now here is a comment that actually makes sense! "Big Orange" didn't create the failed American Health Care system. It's funny how all these people blame all of America's failures on Trump. He was there for 4 years not the past 60+.

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jflatt244 avatar
Watching
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My son passed out on the Fourth of July from heat, hit his head. Went to emergency room, no meds, no hook ups, no IV. Advice and sent home. $3000.

mareikehartmann avatar
Mareike Hartmann
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My Son had his 4th epileptic seizure last week. Always spends a night in the ICU due to low heart rate and Oxygen levels. After that, 2 days on normal ward, plus medication, blood work and EEG. Thanks to Universal health care, it will cost me only 10€ in about 3 month.

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thedartguy avatar
Todd Hunter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Canadian here, Americans could have public healthcare but you allow your politicians to lie to you and you keep voting for them to keep doing it. Yes we pay for it in taxes but that's why we all pay a little so we can all get a lot.

boredpanda_127 avatar
A
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Insurance companies have Americans brainwashed into believing that socialized health care is evil. It's not.

nubisknight avatar
Nubis Knight
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I make 36 k €/year, pay about 1800 €/year in healthcare. Only costs for me are 10 €/day for staying at hospital and 5 € per medicament on a prescription, everything other gets paid by my healthcare. Only exception: glasses and better dental treatment (basic treatment included). But I'm grateful for the German healthcare-system.

cybermerlin2000 avatar
cybermerlin2000
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's normal in the US because the 'uneducated masses' aka those who don't know medicine are brainwashed into thinking it's normal whereas the rest of the world think differently

sky_2 avatar
SkyTheImaginer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had to go to the ER for food stuck in my esophagus, waited for at least four hours, they said they couldn't do anything for me and had to wait for a doctor. I was in extreme pain until it finally passed on its own, they still tried to charge me even though I just sat there for hours.

nanxwarren avatar
yellowphantom
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait until you get older. I went for similar symptoms and it was $10,000. They assume heart attack and go all out when you are over 50. I do have insurance and am not supposed to pay anything, but there is usually a bunch of coding errors, insurer sneakiness and incorrect bills you have to go through before you get what you are paying premiums for. I think I would have an actual heart attack from shock, if I DIDN"T have to spend literal hours hassling over a hospital bill. They get away with this because many Americans don't know to question their bills and review their coverage.

jeffrequier_1 avatar
Requiem
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just put it in peoples taxes, I hate waiting but I pay nothing for all the things that are done

filipevieira avatar
Filipe Vieira
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've read a lot of cases (in the US) that if people ask for an itemized bill the price can lower significantly, but i'm not 100% sure if this is accurate.

peterwieck avatar
Peter Wieck
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a simple answer, by way of a story: On July 11, I had a "widowmaker" LAD 98% heart-attack at 2:15 am. By 3:15 am, I had a stent. The sequence was: Call 911. Ambulance in 10 minutes. At hospital, 10 minutes more. In the hands of the Cardiac Rapid Response Team. 18 minutes, in the Cardiac Cath Lab. Stent installed (via my arm) in less than 15 more minutes. In total, including the first-response police officer, 24 individuals were involved including 3 physicians (2 of whom were also surgeons) and patient transport. Between 2 am and 4 am on a Sunday morning. You are paying for that level of readiness.

kelly_hartle avatar
Kelly Hartle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unfortunately, a lot of people confuse social programs with communism, even though anything a government provides is technically a social program (public roads, schools, police, fire departments, etc.

nevilvfelt avatar
Nevi Løvfelt
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

US healthcare "system" is a catastrophe. Poor citizens if they are not a millionaire.

candicenhale avatar
Candice Hale
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Recently, I was taken by ambulance to the ER 3 days after a surgery. I had a heart rate of 160 while resting and we couldn’t get it down. They thought it was either sepsis, stroke or blood clot. I had 1 xray, 2 mri’s (abdomen and chest) and blood work. The ER bill was $51,000. That doesn’t even include the ambulance bill. - That was before insurance.

neillpowell avatar
Neill Powell
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We live i what Trump calls a shithole country, and we had bacterial SEAFOOD poisoning. Our Premium private medical-aid costs around $100 for both the wife and me. Medical co-payment costs and doctor's visit for both of us....ZERO

manicabogdan avatar
Gogubaci
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

nowhere else in the civilised, and sometimes even the not civilised world is that normal

rstone avatar
Bexxxxx
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How do so many Americans still fight to keep this system? I’m from Canada and if I don’t feel well I just go chat with the doctor for free without even worrying about. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be put into debt over an upset tummy. I feel so bad for the Americans who are screwed by this system and want out :(

david_smojver avatar
Dave
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had Kidney stones. Emergency hospitalisation, surgery, tests, DJ - Stem insertion to bypass the stone before the surgery slot opened, check-up and more tests. Cost, 5 EURO I had to pay for parking in the city centre because I also had to visit a specialist to get a referral for the surgery. But hey, universal healthcare is evil and a Socialist right. What kind of a person one has to be, not to want people who cannot afford insurance to get medical treatment. What kind of a nation is it, when the majority of people want people to die from curable diseases? It is a nation I would be ashamed to belong to.

jon_steensen avatar
Jon Steensen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

because people in pain is willing to almost everything to make it stop. Hence you can charge absurd amounts for medical assistance and therefore someone does.

mbond4 avatar
Michael Bond
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't blame Trump for high healthcare costs, in reality it's city and county hospitals not able to support themselves any longer and being bought out by corporations. Hospitals tag on about 70 - 80% over the true cost of what a hospital visit costs. Insurance companies bargain this cost down but patients rarely do, or believe that they can.

net0 avatar
Margaret Weaver
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not. It's murica. It's a third world theocracy with first world beach resorts. You should see the human development rankings, it's almost frightening to think so few people over there realise the situation their corporations program them to believe is normal.

lynnnoyes avatar
elfin
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A system can only have one top priority. If it's profit, it can't be health care.

jpoolrn avatar
Jane Pool
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah and what's with the hours-long wait times ? They talk about living on Mars, and we still have to wait anywhere from 4-6 hours to be seen by someone! Space ? I am not impressed.

lisachambers2018 avatar
Lisa Chambers
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why werent you treated by your brother?? Not to worry, I predict the alleged healthcare system of any country will break into a million tiny pieces soon. You will still pay for it, but it wont be filled with such lies and pharma.

bartfredericvanhove avatar
Westmalle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Belgium my dad didn't pay that much for his pacemaker.

quillingmama avatar
Pamela Scott
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because of the games that were created once hospitals were told they had to give care to people in emergency situations whether they have insurance or not. At the same time the insurance companies wanted to pay as little as possible. So the " master cost list" came into being. The hospital marked up the cost of everything so they could give a discount to the insurance company but were actually marking up the costs a bit for everyone and the extra they made was supposed to cover the hospitals cost when they have to care for folks in an emergency that had no coverage. Of course the hospitals charge those same people the over inflated price instead of the actual cost of treatment. As time went on the government got in 9n the game and if you have Medicare or Medicare the hospital only gets paid around .29 cents on the dollar for the actually cost. The hospitals either Jack up the cost for everyone else to cover the money they are losing when they treat these patients or they don't treat t

verucasalt avatar
Veruca Salt
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

because you went to a hospital, for food poisoning lol. That's on you.

sandra_gould avatar
Sandra Gould
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The first thing that usually comes up is the cost of their education. Now, and rightly so, is the cost of insurance. Why be a doctor when you can be a dozen or more other jobs you can do for the same pay and less hassle?

marknliz avatar
Mark Hamilton
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Crap healthcare "system". Visited friends in France. No comparison. liz

sunshine-aoc avatar
Lemonclouds20
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How as an American do you not know about your profit making healthcare system?

seidelme avatar
Michael Se
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's normal because we don't elect the people who will make it NOT normal.

volksdroid avatar
Dan Buczynski
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The most frustrating part is how people are holding on to this system with a death grip. It's pretty obvious the rest of the developed world has this figured out, but we keep shoveling our money into private healthcare. Oh, America. We're doomed.

robyn-denton-31 avatar
Robyn Denton
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank goodness I live in Australia! Our health system is not perfect, but it's a great improvement on what the people of America have to deal with.

itzel-ocampo avatar
Izzy_
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lucky!! I got snapped with a $10,000 for the same thing, except I knew it was food poisoning >_<

marakitsch0 avatar
Candia Lee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because you went to ER. Must have been doubly disappointing to find out you mostly needed palliative care. Try minor emergency or your county clinic. Or get a PCP for just such emergencies.

nonawolf avatar
Nona Wolf
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

allenlavine avatar
Allen Lavine
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey everyone on bp I know this is unconventional but I been in a wreck on the 1st of the month broke my back well my L4 and L3 exploded that's the doctor words so now I'm not able to work I set up a go fund me account my name is Allen L if anyone can donate anything even a dollar I would appreciate it because I didn't have any vacation time left and I don't even know how long it will take for my disability to start lucky I had insurance it's not my medical bills but my house bills this is the link if you can't donate I'll take a positive note thank y'all .........https://gofund.me/19424c1a

dannyruiz avatar
Danny Ruiz
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

$1500? LOL! Wait until you get older. Was in hospital, saw many doctors. Before being released, Doctor I didn't know came in to see if I felt good to go home. I said yes. That was it. Turns out he was out of our Medical Network, so I was billed directly. $6,000.

suzannehaigh avatar
Suzanne Haigh
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Healthcare in the UK has been declining seriously for years, all heading for the private system. I bet they will still take the money and supply zero, EU showed no help to Britain in that area either. I am still wondering what the EU did for us.

laurenaringel avatar
Lauren
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I went to the ER for herniated disc pain and was checked in, vitals taken, waited, then spoke with a NP who told me there was nothing they could do for me and had me sign "not treated" discharge papers. I was billed $211 for a Triage Fee then $584 for a physician I never saw. Of course, that physician was out of network because hospitals use contract companies that have no deals with insurance companies. Makes me infuriated just typing that.

alexdureich avatar
Michigan Guy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

follow the money. the folks making that money? they don't want to give that up. they have a LOT of money to influence politicians and media and public opinion.

alexdureich avatar
Michigan Guy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

when you have two parties...and one party's entire game plan is to Get and Maintain Power...and their entire methodology over the last half century or more is to Divide and Conquor, so it's hard to build coalitions to oppose them? makes it tough...

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HammerzToe
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's called the American Medical Mentality... address the symptom, not the problem. If they actually made people well big Pharma as well and most doctors would be out of $$$$$

marinoa2 avatar
Ashley Marino
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

am i the only one wondering why he didnt talk to his brother????

dhbuchanan avatar
The Dave
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ugh, here we go again. Another broken record. Seriously, we know.

zrinyiborbala avatar
Bora Zrinyi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is normal because American people vote for this. They could vote for Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren type politicans, but no, they don't want to pay for other Americans health when those are in need because they don't want if other Americans pay for their bill when they will need. Yes, crazy selfish.

benjamintang08 avatar
Benjamin Tang
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Reform the system all you want. Just don't increase taxes and don't force me to pay for someone else's bills.

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MelteyReddit personally believes that it’s vital to know where your money is going. “I always try to stay up to date with where my money is going. If you are unsure if something is a scam, you can try looking it up on the internet to see how other people feel about it,” they urged people to do their own background research before purchasing something. What’s more, if your gut says that something’s off, chances are that something fishy is actually going on.

In MelteyReddit’s opinion, there are a few things that stand out and scream that something’s secretly just one big giant scam.

“I think the best way to recognize one is by a few factors, [for example,] if they are really pushy about a product that they wanna sell or if the website design/product design looks fake/rushed. Or if they ask an unreasonable amount of money for their product,” they shared their take on how to recognize hidden scams. “An answer posted a lot on my post was the lottery or casinos. Of course, we can't forget those.”

The author of the post added that they’re thrilled and thankful to everyone who engaged with their thread on r/AskReddit. “I want to thank everyone for answering my post, it means a lot to me!”

#7

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Funeral services, preying on the grief of loved ones.

I understand that its really for the living to celebrate their lost loved ones, but when I'm done I just want my family to bury my dead ass in the backyard and throw a bash at the house in my honor. Doubt I'll mind considering I'm dead.

SingleFunction80 , Rhodi Lopez Report

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Lytha
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And the prices are crazy. You just lost someone you love and you literally have to wonder how you're going to pay for their funeral.

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#8

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams That humans are here to just work and die. No way humans evolved so we can work 5 of 7 days of the week, trying to jam fun in on weekends

Visible-Activity2200 , Alex Kotliarskyi Report

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Emowan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't really afford it, but I now only do 2 hours on Wednesday morning instead of a full day. I use the rest of the day for appointments and relaxation. Been a godsend for my mental health.

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#9

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Emails and messages from corporates and celebrities that "We are in this together" during the pandemic.

northern_light007 , Stephen Phillips Report

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lythanora avatar
Lytha
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All sent from their villas to several million while we "essential workers" continued to go to work to be paid trifles.

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For an earlier article, I’d spoken with one of the mods helping run the r/Scams subreddit, a community that helps support the victims of scams and help inform them about the various ways criminals might try to bamboozle them.

One of the mods told Bored Panda that rudimentary research, education, and preparation all make a huge difference when trying to recognize scams for what they are. Nobody is ever 100% foolproof, no matter how insightful and perceptive they might be, but it’s always better to educate ourselves. Internet scams, in particular, can be more difficult to recognize in some cases because you’re no longer dealing face-to-face with a real-life person.

“When you have a real person in front of you, a typical person will feel shame or guilt at the thought of taking advantage of a person. With the internet, you aren't dealing with a person, but a username and avatar. It is much easier to act maliciously when you don't have a real victim directly in front of you," they explained.

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#10

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Planned obsolescence.

recaffeinated Report

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Gandalf the Pink
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A bit lacking in elaboration here so: Planned obsolescence is the practice of artificially making a product's lifespan shorter so people will replace it more often. This leads to a massive waste of resources and towering amounts of hardware trash that most often isn't recycled. Poisoning the planet all in the name of profit. If you wonder why phones seem to generally break just in time for a new generation of phones that's why. Nokia bricks was never as profitable as today's iPhones which a lot of people replace semi-anually. Imagine building yourself a house but not making it as sturdy and long lasting as possible. Planned obsolescence is seriously a horrifyingly Earth-destructive strategy. Another good example is light bulbs, which early models could last many years or even decades but today's light bulbs are manufactured to last about a year. Check out "This is why we can't have nice things" by Veritasium on youtube!

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#11

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Organized religion.

thedeadeye , Aaron Burden Report

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Mike Crow
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Organized religion is now big business, especially in the USA.

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#12

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams The whole baby product industry is based on making parents feel worthless and irresponsible if they don’t shill out for things that will be outgrown or unnecessary in six months.

mywifemademegetthis Report

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lythanora avatar
Lytha
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When my son was born, as soon as I went out with him, even for an hour, I literally took EVERYTHING I could need. My bag weighed tons, but I was like "you never know". A few months later, I took a diaper or two, wipes and something to drink. And I had a lot of stress in less. It's difficult because indeed, as young parents, we take a lot of judgment in our teeth. "Ah, didn't you take (insert here the super crappy trendy thing that everyone considers essential)?" "You only took 12 diapers for an hour's outing ??? how are you going to do it?" "Do you use disposable wipes? I thought you were green?" "Is your stroller a second hand? You should have bought the (insert here a trendy stroller that costs a kidney)" ....

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“Online scams also use a lot of tricks to pressure buyers; low prices, pushes to buy now!, taking advantage of someone's kindness or naivete (re: advance check fraud, money mules, etc), or advertising one product and sending another (or nothing at all, by using a fake tracking number). Getting a person to make a decision via high-pressure tactics and preventing them from reflecting and making a sound decision is key," the mod from r/Scams told Bored Panda earlier.

"If a deal is too good to be true, it is. If you see a pair of brand new Apple AirPods advertised for $50, you are not getting an authentic product. There are many counterfeit items out there on the market, and you need to verify authenticity before hitting buy," they said.

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"Not only to avoid contributing to the counterfeit market, but because these knockoff products do not always go through the same safety standards of the real item; they may not be UL certified, they may use chemicals or ingredients that are not FDA approved and are unsafe for use on or in the human body, or could cause major harm to human life or property."

#13

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Any claim that a 'magic' drink will help you burn fat.

No, no drink or no food can burn that -- that is a pure fabrication.

moosejaw110 , Alex Lvrs Report

#14

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Ink cartridges for your printer are super cheap to manufacture but the retail price is really high

holytaco57 Report

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Trillian
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's why they can make printers super cheap. You will pay through the cartridges

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#15

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams The wedding industry in the U.S.

$20,000 - $30,000 for a single day, stressful-as-hell event. When I learned a photographer alone runs $5000 minimum I almost puked. And a lot of venues didn’t give a s**t about covid and hosted packed weddings, resulting in deaths because “wE gOtTa MaKe MoNeY sOmEhOw” Absolute slime balls.

Now before all the vendors dog pile me, let me be clear, I’m fully aware why you guys charge as much as you do. I also hope you understand why an average person like me looks at the price and says hell no.

And for those that want a conventional wedding: If you can swing it, do whatever you want. My wife and I did a Sandals all-inclusive vaca/wedding/honeymoon, which has its own pros and cons but still a no-brainer due to the cost and convenience.

CaptainPlummet , Shardayyy Photography Report

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Lytha
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A closed friend had a "dream" wedding, very expensive, very "conventional", very "not her". And when I found out the amounts allocated for this wedding, it hurt me a bit, because if I had such an amount, I could have finished paying off the house ... (spoiler alert, this was 15 years ago and the house is not yet reimbursed: D)

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#16

Bottled water, looking at you Nestlé

some_bs_name_ Report

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Hugh Willie Mungous
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've only ever bought bottled water when I was in a jam - whenever I needed water and couldn't get tap water easily. I've never understood why anybody would waste their money on bottled water.

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#17

Instagram fitness model meal plans. I cant believe people still pay them a lot of money for cookie cut meal plans and fitness advice. They are literally just pulling s**t off of google, copy paste your name, and make you think its personalized for you. Taking advantage of dumb people who are desperate to lose weight. Its pitiful on both sides.

thascarecro Report

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Suzanne Haigh
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would not call them dumb or pitifull, I would say "Hopefull" or "Desperate"

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#18

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Any online course promising to teach you how to make money

Sullixio , Samantha Borges Report

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Chloe *Leah* Pheonix
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I basically make 80000-1000000000000 per day>>>>>>>omg so life changing>>>>>>>work online>>>>>>>*insert sketchy link*

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#19

Two-party political systems. They seem to be in opposition to each other but in reality take "donations" from the same entities to further their agendas, so the sense of choice is mostly false in reality.

Mr_Lumbergh Report

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May
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I only know of the US that does this (Though I guess the UK comes close?) and from the outside it seems that that whole system needs to be scrapped and started over. It looks broken beyond repair.

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#20

All multi-level marketing companies.

They tell you that all you have to do Is get 5 people to sign up and they each get 5 people to sign up, etc. Except these are not mathematical geniuses running these companies. By the time you get about 12 levels deep, you’ve surpassed the entire population of the Earth. It’s a good lesson in exponents.

FatherPyrlig Report

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Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just look at who falls for them, in huge numbers, and you’ll see why they don’t want the best and brightest. They don’t intend for anybody to do anything but spend money buying stock to sell.

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#21

Companies saying their employees are valuable to them and they care about their employees.

Uncertn_Laaife Report

#22

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Casinos.

All of the casinos in my state are video poker and video slot machines. There are barely any table games left.

No one is happy, no one is having fun. It's just a room full of zombies feeding the machines and losing money. Every person I talk to is convinced that they know the secret formula to win. You cannot win.

It might sound trivial but the old slots were just a spinning reel. These new machines are extremely addictive. The way the lights flash and the sounds go off like: Bing Bing BING. WINNER of 40 cents. The entire thing is a psychology hack to give people the impression that they're winning when they're not.

MSFNinja , Kvnga Report

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Sam Kunz
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have a new Casino near where I live. I stopped in because they were offering a free buffet. I walked around and saw one person sit down and start to win hand over fist on a video slot. People crowded around the person. This person made thousands in minutes. Then got up and disappeared into the crowd but I followed and saw this "Winner" sneak into an employee only door. This person was paid to pretend to win.

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#23

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams College tuition. I graduated with a B.S. Information Technology and Computer Science. Working at a job and earning just as much as my coworkers who didn’t go to college and earned certifications. They have zero debt, while I’m $40k in the hole.

Accurate_Interview10 , Vasily Koloda Report

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beastmachine.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dude I'll be getting into uni next month and my fees are about $300/yr for a STEM/CS deg that includes tuition and lodging along with food coz it's sponsored by government. For places that aren't sponsored you may have to shell out $4000-5000/yr and that's pretty reasonable

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#24

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Trying to look good for men by reading women's magazine articles! Throw those magazines away, take good care of yourself, make the best of what you've got and don't be defined by someone else's expectations of what you should be.

KatPrincess88 , Charisse Kenion Report

#25

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Recycling plastics.

Less than 10% of plastic waste is actually recycled.

vitto2point0 , Julia Joppien Report

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Hugh Willie Mungous
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why not just ban the use of single use plastics? It is easy - and quite a few countries have taken major steps in this direction. We can (and have in the past) relied on glass bottles, paper bags, paper straws, card burger containers, card ear bud shafts etc. etc.. Profits need not be affected (heaven forbid!) and most/many consumers would tolerate the tiny increase in prices.

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#27

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Apple cables

hellofellowhumanss , Mika Baumeister Report

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ben woskje
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The apple eco-system - all of it. Intentionally created to be product specific, always technically behind the current technology standards - creates an obscene amount of waste... all to lock people in.

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#28

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams In the US, doing my own taxes. The government literally has all my info and can do it for me, but their excuse is that "but Americans like doing their own taxes!". No. I especially don't like being forced to pay for a service like TurboTax either.

turnOn , Kelly Sikkema Report

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Gin. No tonic
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In my country taxes are done on a government's website, where most of the info is already inserted and I just have to check it or can add some extra expenses (such as giving back education/housing loan). It takes no more than 15 minutes once a year

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#29

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Essential Oils being marketed as having these major health benefits/as treatment for illnesses. The only exception being clearing your sinuses. Some essential oils actually do pretty good work in that regard (at least for me personally... mileage will vary I'm sure).

tim_to_tourach , Chelsea shapouri Report

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May
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seems when people don't have access to affordable health care, they'll try any alternative - no matter how far fetched

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#30

The entire working economy is a scam. You bust your ass for half of your waking hours, at least, then get told that your work is worthless and you don't deserve basic needs... even though your rich owners are making millions in profit off of your "worthless" labor?

NoKenjataimu Report

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J. F.
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"I don't pay good wages because I have a lot of money; I have a lot of money because I pay good wages." - Robert Bosch, sadly something that was forgotten over the last 30 years

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#31

The "All natural" market/label. Means nothing.

jackHadIt Report

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troufaki13
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gluten free. Most people are not gluten intolerant, it's just a fad they need to follow.

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#32

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Adobe’s subscription based monopoly

pregnantbaby , Szabo Viktor Report

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beastmachine.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dude, just search on Google and you'll find so many alternatives. Maybe try watching Linus Tech Tips video on how they made videos without using any Adobe product

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#34

non-GMO food

GMOs are safe, we have been unknowingly doing this for thousands of years. Now we just have a more reliable,safe and fast way to do it.

Existing_Lynx_337 Report

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A B C
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This. People need to understand that selective farming, e.g. taking only the seeds of the most productive plants for next year, is selection based on genetic mutations and therefore LITERALLY IS genetic modification, just on a slow term and based on observation rather than design.

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#35

Adulthood because kids think it’s great but it’s not

BirdKibble Report

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hyperunknown
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Adulthood rocks. I'm 43, my other half is 42. 13 years going strong. No kids = no stress, no drama, no school/government/etc hassle, a lot more money, travel when we want, sleep when we want etc. Basically 2 peeps in their 40's still living like we're 18. You get the life you make for yourself by good planning, and not letting the energy stealers, Karens and drama-people in. Again, adulthood is awesome :D

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#36

Pretty much anything that says it will enlarge your penis

jobo633 Report

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#38

Getting a phone call about your cars extended warranty.

TrustedPluto104 Report

#39

And survey says; Diamonds (but also most jewelry)

footinmymouth Report

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Nicky
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agree! Why is wearing a hard rock mined by exploited people in Africa considered an act of love?

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#40

Eating/drinking raw eggs. The proteins found in eggs only become useful to your body after the structures are changed by applying heat aka cooking them.

There's not only no point choking back a raw egg. You're also absorbing less protein from it than if you were to cook it.

"Cooked eggs have a bioavailability of around 91% for protein, while protein from raw eggs only is 50% bioavailable (Evenepoel et al., 1998)."

https://www.reddit.com/user/BloodintothewildRed/ Report

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May
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do people actually do this? I've only seen it in like movies from the 80s - but love the citation

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#41

Insurance, health insurance in particular. The whole concept is pay into a pool on the off chance that something happens you can get some kind of reimbursement which sounds fair on the whole, but is so often bogged down with unfair terms and conditions that many get screwed over. This on top of predatory policies and greedy salespeople means a whole lot of people get [screwed] over.

nineball22 Report

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Kari Panda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That depends heavily on the country and honestly, I think it‘s a major reason why universal health care has such a bad reputation in the USA. I was in a bad car accident two years back and had no trouble at all with neither car nor health insurance, which I am very grateful for because I had enough to worry about at that time.

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#42

Tiktok. They now have an event where they pay you $40 if you refer a friend. It’s clearly selling your private information, but people ask their friends to be referred like crazy.

Karlos-the-Kitten Report

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A B C
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I still don't get why we don't finally start boycotting this chinese surveillance bullshit, but apparently people just don't care.

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#43

Realtors, probably the most overpaid, under qualified profession. The commission based comp is crippling for some sellers, and if you try to sell on your own (FSBO), they will steer all their buyers away from you.

Dad6FMTX Report

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Shelly M
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because FSBOs don't know what they are doing and dont get smoke inspections or final readings.

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#44

Having a royal family. It’s bonkers in this day and age that a country as grown up as Britain has a monarch that costs us all money, just for privilege of having her. A literal Queen, wearing a crown, who believes that she was sent by God to sit on a gold throne. And we have to sing a song asking for her longevity at football games. The royal family are a scam, cost us too much money and are currently harbouring a nonce to boot.

laura_susan Report

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Gin. No tonic
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's image also brings in a lot of tourists, helps sell loads of souvenirs, and overall adds to the economy. It would be interesting to know not just the cost, but also the value of having a royal family. Also it seems that countries with royal families tend to be more stable during crises.

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#46

Corporate owned apartment complexes tacking on hundreds of extra dollars in monthly fees on top of rent. Mandatory cable TV packages, parking fees (on a flat surface lot, with no assigned parking), valet trash. All a scam and just a way for them to pocket incremental sales on top of rent.

letssgooooo Report

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Jjiinnee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Isn't this only a high-end complex thing, ..for Luxury Apartments and Condos for people who make the top 1% of income? It is in Boston...I know many complexes on the waterfront do, but...who else but a top earner can afford 7k in rent a month, and why would they complain if they could? LOL.

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#48

NFTs.

There will be a market for these in some form, but we are hip-deep in the rowdy, scam-filled early days.

echo6golf Report

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May
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I will never understand NFTs, no matter how many ways it's explained to me. They make no sense.

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#49

People Are Revealing 50 Things That Are Scams Chiropractors. "The only way I can help is if you come see me 3 times a week for as long as you live."

zopea , Toa Heftiba Report

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Valisbourne Spiritforge
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel so much better after a visit to the chiropractor (once or twice a year) that I fail to understand the scam. I wanted my back to feel better and it does after I leave, service given, service paid for. Where was the scam?

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#50

Fifa games

Redmage53 Report

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SykesDaMan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know this post was meant for the video games (I've checked the reddit post) but it could also apply to actual real football (or soccer for US) games.

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