Confusion is a key element in many scams. Called “smoke and mirrors” or “misdirection,” it’s the part of the scam that makes the victim look or think away from what’s really happening.

For instance, we have looked at the Quick Change / Short Change Scam, a classic and simple case of confusing the victim. It is so fast and efficient that the victim sometimes never realizes that he or she has been robbed.

The Kangen Water Scam, which uses copious amounts of pseudo-scientific babble to make their snake oil device sound reasonable, is a more complex scam. Instead of merely lying to a victim, they present manufactured evidence to the lies.

It’s established and supposedly reputable companies using confusion to bilk the public that really bugs me, though. Criminals use confusion to steal from you, so what do you call your phone company, your electric company, the pharmaceutical industry, or local government when they use the same tactics?

Sure, laws are in place. Checks and balances exist. We have contracts. Oh wait, there’s a common element in all these factors: Lawyers. Hmm… Is this going to be another lawyer-bashing diatribe?

It should be, but it won’t be. The role of lawyers in today’s society is to play an endless game of strategy, trickery, and cronyism. Let them have their fun; they’re no good for real, constructive work.

No, the true culprit here is simple human nature. Greed, control, need, desire … we gotta have it. To some degree, we all use confusion, force, and passive-aggressive techniques to get what we want.

We tell our kids lies or we outright threaten them to get them to to behave the way we want them to behave. Religions remind their followers of rewards and punishments in order to control their behavior and open their wallets. Governments cloak their pork barrel income and lobby profits and uncounted kickbacks in ceremony, mock elections, and illegal wars. Corporations manufacture statistics to help persuade lawmakers, stockholders, and consumers.

How can we fight back? “The X-Files” said it best: Trust No One.

Ask questions. If you are in the least bit confused, you are a fool for not admitting it. If you are confused and hand over your money, you are a damn fool. Never believe anything until you independently research it. And never base your research on sales literature or fan sites. Instead, read the critics and naysayers. In the end, a reputable critic will tell you if a product or service is legit.

Scrud Kelley

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