Disputed: If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is

If something sounds too good to be true, that could very well be the case. It could be a scam, there could be a hidden catch. It may not be what it seems.

Whatever this too-good-to-be-true thing is, it probably has a sketchy feel, it seems off, not quite right. And honestly, it doesn't really sound too good, and thus cannot be too good to be true.

In other words, if it sounds too good to be true, it's usually not good.

• An unsolicited email, with a flashy ad. Congratulations! Blinky blinky: "Click here to get your free iPhone". You are their millionth something. It doesn't sound too good to be true. It sounds sketchy, unbelievable. Ignore. Delete.
• A message from your employer: "Click here to claim your free iPhone". This time, it sounds true, it's expected. You knew your employer would provide a phone to everyone in your department. It doesn't sound too good to be true. It sounds good, it sounds true, but not too good to be true. Click. Thank you. iPhone arrives next morning while checking in at work.
• A message from the richest Nigerian princess ever. "Pls send $10000 to receive your inheritance of $84 million US dollars". Does not sound too good to be true. Does not sound true, so does not sound good.