The last time I bought a new smartphone, I went to the store thinking I’d spend a little more than $200. I left having spent close to $300 to get a phone with more storage and a case.

It wasn’t until I got home that I realized I had thrown away close to $75 when I didn’t have to. And just like that I fell victim to one of the tech industry’s biggest rip-offs.

Yes, I may be a tech reporter, but I’m not immune to falling for the scams. It can happen to anyone.

Fortunately, the best way to avoid getting ripped off is to know when it will happen. So to help you avoid needlessly throwing away your cash, we’ve put together this list of the biggest tech rip-offs. 

Shop with care.

Read More: Use iPhone’s Secret Scientific Calculator

Overpriced HDMI cables

The most well-known and egregious example of tech companies trying to separate you from your money comes in the form of the humble HDMI cable.

Walk into any big box retailer to buy a new TV and chances are the sales person will try to sell you on a high-capacity, gold-plated, 4K-compatible HDMI.

Well, that’s all a bunch of crap.