6 Sure Signs Person is Lying To You Over Text

You have got a hunch, don't you? Your fellow texter has their pants on fire and you just can’t shake this feeling. If only there was a way to confirm your intuition… Well, there is. To be precise, there are 6 ways to tell if someone is lying to you over text.

We understand that you need more than a gut feeling to call out dishonesty in relationships. And hence, we’ve identified certain tell-tales of text message lies. Using our list as a blueprint, you can even trick someone into telling the truth over text.

However, we insist that you don’t go around accusing people of lying because of a faint resonance in their behavior and these signs. Please take the time and effort to be certain of your assertions. A careful perusal of this list will tell you all that you need to know. Without further ado, let’s dive right into it – how to tell if someone is lying over text instantly?

# It’s complicated

Hail the wise words of Benedict Cumberbatch in and as Sherlock – 'Only lies have detail.' If someone is lying to you over text, their responses will be unnecessarily elaborate. For instance, you ask them where they are. A usual response would be short and straightforward.

How to tell if someone is lying about cheating over text? Well, liars can be great storytellers. They will paint an elaborate picture and envelop you in the little details, to weave together a believable story. They will describe everything so minutely that it becomes unfathomable to you that they could lie in such great detail.

# Oh-so-sweet

How to tell if someone is lying about cheating over text? All of a sudden, you notice they’re saying 'I love you' more often or sending you cheesy texts. This is one of the ways most affairs are discovered. Sometimes, owing to guilt, a person behaves more affectionately to make up for his/her lies. Their texting style changes completely.

The expression we’re looking for is buttering up. Most liars fear getting caught and will take some preventive measures to stop you from digging further. One such measure is paying compliments. 'Your display picture is just fabulous' or 'You’re literally the funniest person I know' are not genuine compliments; they’re a strategy to win your confidence and distract you at the same time.

# Repondez s'il vous plait

According to studies, there are four components of deception. The first one is activation. To lie, a person has to leave out details or make something up to sound believable. And due to this “cognitive load”, they can’t respond automatically. They take a minute or two to figure out what to say.

If someone is lying over the phone, you’ll be put on hold at some pretext while they get their story straight. The same goes for text message lies. You cannot expect quick answers. The response time will be longer while the person formulates their answer carefully. Say your text was delivered at 5:20 pm. They will answer by 5:24 – a significantly long time in the world of speedy double texting.

# How to tell if someone is lying over text? Losing the plot

No matter how hard the liar tries, there will be a few holes in their plot. Inconsistencies are a great way to tell if a guy is lying over text. Changes in details or messing up the order of events are common mistakes. If this individual suffers from poor memory, they’re bound to get caught in no time. Lying isn’t sustainable because the house of cards collapses at some point.

You can also ascertain if someone is lying to you over text through 'tense hopping'. Since their story is a fabrication, they’ll get confused with the tense of the incident. You will find it difficult to keep a track of the personal pronouns used. Here's a sample text from a cheating boyfriend: 'She was the one who made a move on me. I am just sitting there, doing nothing and she climbs into my lap. It made me really uncomfortable and I will tell her to stop.'

# Gtg, brb

If you want to know if you have been lied to over text, see how they terminate the conversation suddenly. If your texts are venturing toward an uncomfortable topic that will reveal their lies, the texter will try to extricate themselves ASAP. It could be on the pretext of an emergency or the phone battery running out. You’ll get a speedy goodbye, and poof, they're gone!

Most lying texters adopt this tactic when they sense you on their trail. In fact, they might avoid you for a while until the dust settles on your suspicions. Escapist tendencies are usually an indicator of serious lies like infidelity or addiction. Be sure to pick up the conversation from where they ghosted you – don't let it slide!

# Nothing in particular

It is a unique paradox but abstraction is as much a sign of lying as details are. If you want to trick someone into telling the truth over text, ask them oddly specific things like “What did you order at the restaurant?” or “How did you get back home?” Their answer will probably be as vague and unclear as possible.

Be on the lookout for phrases like “not much”, “can’t really remember” or “you know, the usual” because they will appear commonly.

Your success rate will increase significantly if you can take them by surprise with your questions. Text message lies are easy to identify when you know what you’re looking for.