r/AusFinance • u/YogurtclosetAny6854 • 6h ago
What are some subtle hints that someone is actually lying about their salary?
What would be some subtle hints or clues that someone is lying or faking about how much they’re actually making when they really aren’t?
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u/EarlyTee 5h ago
In my experience, in Australia at least - if somebody is bringing the topic of their salary up in the conversation themselves... It's almost certainly bullshit.
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u/ozpinoy 4h ago
Most of us here are honest.
for example. I am here at "work" 6am.. because I chose to work. I dont' have to be here. I could be travelling around the planet at will but I prefer to be in this office copping abuse.
"frugal" life is because I want to -- like you know noodles and beans and rice.. them yummy expensive stuff just doesn't do it for me..
there's one thing to take away though - read between the lines - sure it's way above your $$ value (a sht tonne of posts here are waaay above my income) but I try to read between the lines on what I can do for "me". Whilst congratulating (not posting) but acknowledging their success and not be jealous about it..
at the end of the day your journey.
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u/RookieMistake2021 5h ago
Position title and salary don’t match up
If they’re quite a high six figure salary and their role either isn’t super niche that requires a lot of expertise or doesn’t manage a team of people
If it’s common role with a highly unlikely salary then eyebrows need to be raised
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u/Street_Buy4238 2h ago
Tbf, most people won't get into the specifics of their role title.
Even when I was a regional head of commercial and operational risk at a multinational, I generally introduced myself as a humble engineering manager outside of professional networking situations.
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u/OutoflurkintoLight 3h ago
In my experience knowing people from very modest 50/60k a year salaries to very wealthy multimillionaires.
The ones who talk more openly about how much money they have to friends and family (with the exception given to close immediate family in private), usually have the least. Or are in incredible amounts of debt to maintain their facade.
The ones who actually DO have money, do not discuss the topic publicly. Ever. In fact I would say they almost treat it like a taboo subject.
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u/Moist-Tower7409 2h ago
Maybe I’m too young, but I’d always be happy to talk money with others. After all, we’re in this together and helping each other increase our wealth and income is beneficial for everyone.
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u/OutoflurkintoLight 58m ago edited 54m ago
Sorry I should have clarified. I meant people who talk about it in a bragging kinda way. And all they do is talk about how rich they are or how much money they have.
Of course discussing it privately with friends / family in an appropriate setting can be okay depending on the person you’re talking to.
Generally though, I personally find it best to be private about money. And my family/friends that are wealthy just do not discuss the topic. Maybe they’re outliers but that’s all I have to go off of.
It’s like that old saying “money talks, wealth whispers”.
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u/artsrc 4h ago
If you ask someone their current salary as part of a salary negotiation you should assume the answer is part of the negotiation, all answers are lies, and are just an indication of what they want from you. If the number is high it means they are willing to walk away if you offer them something small.
If you ask someone their current salary as part of a bank loan application, you should also ask for documentation, and keep it for the life of the loan plus 7 years.
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u/auscrash 2h ago
Why, oh why do you care?
focus on yourself and your own finances and what you can do.. who gives a rats ass if someone is fibbing about how much they earn...
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u/Anachronism59 2h ago
In real life, when I worked, if it came up I'd always say I earned less than I actually did. Now I'm retired I'll also understate assets. Likely because most I talked to earned less or now have less.
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u/tangaroo58 2h ago
Subtle clues:
- They are in a job interview
- They are applying for a loan and think it won't be checked
- They brought it up in casual conversation without being asked
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u/fatface173 54m ago
If you are talking about in real life, not on a forum, they will lie about other things and will suspect things because things they say seem barely believable. They will also try to steer the conversation on a tangent when you ask more about it as a way to avoid getting caught out in the lie.
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u/maton12 4h ago
This place asking the hard questions.
Enjoy your life without worrying about others