It can be frustrating and confusing to try and figure out if someone is telling you the truth, especially if they are lying to your face. However, there are some telltale signs that can help you spot a liar.

Here are 10 ways to spot when someone is lying to you:.

1. Inconsistencies

One of the most common signs that someone is lying is when they tell a different story every time you ask them about something. Their story might change as they try to cover up the lies they’ve previously told.

Inconsistent details are a red flag that should make you question their honesty.

2. Body Language

People give away a lot with their body language when they are lying. Look for signs like fidgeting, avoiding eye contact, or slouching; it’s a sign they may not be telling the truth.

People who are lying may also touch their face or cover their mouth when speaking.

3. Repeating Words or Phrases

When someone is lying, they may repeat certain words or phrases. This could be a sign that they are trying to convince you of something that they don’t actually believe or know to be true.

4. Sudden Changes in Pitch or Tone

Another way that people give themselves away when they are lying is through changes in their tone of voice. For example, someone who is usually soft-spoken may suddenly become more assertive when they’re lying.

Alternatively, they may start to speak in an unusually high or low pitch.

5. Overcompensating

People who are lying may try to overcompensate for their deception by doing things like making exaggerated facial expressions or using unnecessary hand gestures.

They may also make statements that are too dramatic or use words that don’t make sense in the context of the conversation.

6. Defensive Behavior

When people are caught in a lie, they may become defensive or even accusatory toward the person who caught them. They may raise their voice or try to turn the conversation around to attack the other person instead of admitting the truth.

7. Lack of Details

Someone who is lying may be vague about certain details of their story, especially if they’re trying to hide something. They may also not remember certain aspects of the story they’re telling if they’re making it up as they go along.

8. Avoiding Questions

If someone is lying, they may try to avoid answering certain questions directly. They may deflect or change the subject instead of offering a straightforward answer.

9. Unnatural Timing

If someone’s timing seems off, it could be a sign that they’re not telling the truth. They may pause too long before answering a question or speak too quickly without thinking first.

These unnatural pauses could indicate that they’re constructing their story on the spot.

10. Conflicting Emotions

Lastly, watch for conflicting emotions when someone is telling you a story. If they’re telling you something sad but their body language indicates that they’re happy, it could indicate that they’re lying.

Look for incongruence between what they’re saying and how they’re acting.