Lies, especially from those who hide them well, can leave you doubting your instincts.
How do you trust your gut when there are no obvious red flags?
The truth is, no one can hide their lies completely—there are always subtle indicators if you know what to look for.
By paying attention to these seven subtle signs, you can start to identify deceit even from the most skilled liars.
Learn how to detect dishonesty when it’s cloaked in confidence.
1) Inconsistent details
Liars often have a hard time keeping their stories straight.
That’s because when you’re telling the truth, the facts are ingrained in your memory. But when you’re fabricating a story, it’s much harder to keep track of all the invented details.
So, one of the biggest red flags that someone is lying to you is inconsistency in their story. They might change certain details, forget important aspects, or even contradict themselves.
The key is to pay attention. If something feels off or if the person seems to be struggling to remember the details, there’s a good possibility that they might be lying.
However, it’s important to note that memory can be fickle, and genuine mistakes can happen.
So, inconsistencies should not be taken as absolute proof of lying but should rather raise your suspicions.
2) They avoid eye contact
I remember a time when I was chatting with a friend who had a reputation for stretching the truth. We were talking about his recent vacation, and I noticed he wouldn’t meet my gaze as he spun tales of his extravagant adventures.
Typically, he was someone who maintained eye contact during conversations. But this time, his eyes were darting around, barely resting on mine.
That was my first clue that something was off.
Avoiding eye contact can be a classic sign of deceit.
While it’s not foolproof – some people naturally avoid eye contact due to shyness or cultural reasons – it can be a potential indicator of dishonesty, especially if it’s out of character for the person.
In short, if they’re avoiding your gaze while speaking, it might be because they’re trying to hide the fact they’re lying.
3) Their body language is off
Body language can reveal a lot about a person’s true feelings, even when their words are saying something different.
When someone is lying, you might notice they become more rigid or display defensive body language, like crossing their arms or leaning away.
Interestingly, research has shown that people often touch their face or mouth when they’re lying. This could be a subconscious attempt to hide their deceit.
However, it’s crucial not to jump to conclusions based on body language alone.
4) They provide too much information
When people lie, they often feel the need to convince you that they’re telling the truth. To do this, they might give more details or explanations than necessary.
It’s like they’re trying to paint a very detailed picture to distract you from the fact that it’s all made up.
For example, if you ask a simple question and get a long-winded, overly complicated answer, that could be a sign of deception. The person might be trying to cover their tracks or buy themselves some time as they construct their lie.
It’s not about the quantity of information but the quality. So when someone starts over-explaining, it might be time to start questioning.
5) They overcompensate with honesty
There was a time when I suspected a co-worker of taking credit for my work.
When I confronted her about it, she vehemently denied it, even bringing up unrelated instances where she had been honest and transparent.
People who lie can sometimes overcompensate by emphasizing their honesty in other areas. It’s as if they’re trying to build a fortress of trustworthiness to hide the lie they’re telling.
If someone starts highlighting their honesty without prompt or brings up unrelated examples of their truthfulness, it might be a defensive mechanism to cover a lie.
The key?
Be patient and observe.
6) Their voice changes
When people lie, their voice might betray them. They might speak more quickly, stutter or their voice might go up in pitch.
This happens because lying can cause a physiological response like increased heart rate and blood pressure, which can affect the voice.
For instance, if you notice that someone who usually speaks in a calm and steady manner is suddenly speaking faster or their voice is shaking, this could be a sign of deceit.
However, that voice change could also be due to factors like stress or anxiety.
7) They can’t repeat their story
If someone tells you a story and then struggles to repeat it the same way later, it’s a strong sign they might be lying.
Truth is easy to repeat because it doesn’t change. Lies, on the other hand, can be hard to keep track of, especially when they’re complex or detailed.
So, if you have suspicions about a person’s honesty, ask them to tell their story again at a later time.
If the details change or they struggle to remember what they said before, it could be because they’re not telling the truth.
In a nutshell, the truth always holds up under scrutiny. Lies do not.
Final thoughts
Becoming adept at recognizing the signs of deception can significantly enhance your communication skills and interpersonal relationships.
By observing inconsistent details, changes in eye contact, and variations in body language, you can gain valuable insights into the honesty of those around you.
It’s essential to approach these indicators with an open mind, as they should be considered collectively rather than in isolation.
In the end, cultivating awareness of these behaviors not only aids in discerning truth from falsehood but also strengthens your ability to connect with others authentically.