How to Tell if Someone Is Using You

Co-authored by Allison Broennimann, PhD

Last Updated: September 15, 2024 Approved

It hurts if you’re being used by a significant other or someone close to you, but there are signs and red flags that can alert you. If the relationship seems one-sided, try not to overlook it or settle. You just have to be willing to see what may be wrong in your relationship before you can address it.

Things You Should Know

There are many red flags you can keep an eye out for to determine if someone is using you.
For instance, they may only spend time with you when they're bored or it's convenient for them.
They might break promises regularly and expect you not to do anything about it.
If you think you're being used, you don't have to put up with it. There are ways you can stand up for yourself and set healthy boundaries.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Reflecting on Your Relationship

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1
Consider your own role in the situation. Someone can only use you if you let them, so ask yourself if this could be the case for you. If you have low self-esteem, then it's likely that you will be too nice to people and easily go along with what they want. This can make you feel used.
- Don't give yourself a hard time for letting people use you. Instead, focus on the future.
2
Ask for clarification on the relationship’s status. Sometimes in relationships, you may feel uncertain about where things truly stand because the other person is either resistant to labeling the relationship or doesn’t consistently differentiate their feelings for you from others. This might occur when someone is reluctant to call the other their “girlfriend”, “boyfriend”, or "partner" – to others, in front of others and to the other. In cases such as this, there’s a good chance you’re being used. This might also occur when, for example, your “best friend” calls several others their “best friend” as well, causing you to wonder about the true nature of your friendship.
- Often this happens because the person is happy with the situation as it is, wants to leave their options open, or doesn’t want to lose the benefits of being special to you.^{[1]
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- If you find yourself in this situation, ask how the other person defines the relationship and, if applicable, where they would like to see the relationship go in the future.
- If this doesn’t align with what you want, you might consider either severing ties or modifying your expectations of the other person and the relationship.
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3
Observe when you spend time together. You would be wise to question the motives of another person if you find a) that you typically spend time together when the other person is bored or wants or needs something (like someone to listen as your mother-in-law rants about how little she sees your husband), b) that the time is generally spent alone (like late at night), or c) that it’s time spent to fill a spot (like as a date to an event or as a last-minute bowling partner).
- In doing this, the other person’s needs and wishes not only disregard yours but also dictate one of the most fundamental aspects of any relationship – when you see the other person.^{[3]
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- If this is the case, you must decide if what you’re getting out of the relationship compensates for this, assuming it upsets you. And you must choose whether or not to discuss your feelings and/or your decision with the other person.
- Reader Poll: We asked 1507 wikiHow readers, and 52% of them agreed that the biggest red flag that someone might be using you is if you feel like they are friends with you for your money. [Take Poll]
4
Note when you don’t spend time together. Conversely, pay attention to when you’re not together. For instance, are you rarely invited to dinner parties at your supposed friend’s home? Does a woman at work stop by your desk religiously after office meetings to make copies of your notes but fail to include you every day for lunch with “the girls”? When you need something, can you never track down the other person? While occasional oversights happen, repeatedly avoiding or not including you indicates the relationship might not be what you thought or wanted.
- Just as the other person dictates when you spend time together, the same is happening when you don’t spend time together. ^{[7]
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- Here, too, you must decide on a course of action – to talk with the other person and see if things change or emotionally detach from a relationship you may have wanted but do not have.
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Reject all talk and no action behavior. When someone says they will do one thing but don’t follow through, it can become aggravating, especially if it becomes a pattern. This ultimately leads to you not trusting in the person or the relationship.^{[9]
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Research source} In many cases, the commitment was made while also asking something of the other person. So, pay attention to whether anything is asked of you (or wanted from you) when a commitment or plans are made, but dropped.
- If you find they are, refuse to do what’s being asked or discuss the problem directly with the other person.
6
Don’t accept broken promises. Users perpetually break promises and, in the process, are perpetually choosing to put something or someone else ahead of you. Often it’s that person. It’s also a good sign that they may not be very serious about you, that you’re not particularly significant or that you’re viewed as a push-over who won’t cause trouble even when taken advantage of.^{[11]
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- If you find yourself in this situation, express your feelings to the other person.
- If nothing changes, it may be time to say goodbye. More reliably green pastures do exist where friends, relatives, colleagues and romantic partners do actually keep their word.
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Reflect on any mixed messages. Determine if what’s said to you is different from what’s said about you. Does your sister shower you with affection and tell you how important you are but then complain to your mother about how you’re never around when she needs you? Has a co-worker praised you for doing a great job on a project you helped them with but then grouched to other co-workers, saying you were so computer illiterate they might as well have done the work themselves?
- If a person tells you 1 thing but then does something else, then they are disrespecting you. Remember that actions speak louder than words.
- If a person gossips about you or acts differently to you than they would when you’re around others, red flags with the words “ulterior motive” and/or “jealousy” imprinted on both sides should be waving in your mind’s eye.
- Think about who this person is to you really and decide how to best let go of (you don’t have to be friends with everyone) or handle (you do have to work with some people) a relationship with a person you cannot trust.^{[14]
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EXPERT TIP

John Keegan
Dating Coach
John Keegan is a Dating Coach and motivational speaker based in New York City. With over 10 years of professional experience, he runs The Awakened Lifestyle, where he uses his expertise in dating, attraction, and social dynamics to help people find love. He teaches and holds dating workshops internationally, from Los Angeles to London and from Rio de Janeiro to Prague. His work has been featured in the New York Times, Humans of New York, and Men's Health.

John Keegan
Dating Coach

Relationships shouldn't be a guessing game. If you wonder if you're valued, take stock of the dynamic at play. Communication problems and a lack of give-and-take might be early signs of problems within a relationship.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Thinking about Communications With the Other

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1
Steer conversations away from the other person. Four words: It’s all about them. They talk about their families; their jobs; their problems; their triumphs; and what they want and what they believe they need, generally from you. Often they care little about imposing on your time, or what you might be doing, so they can drone on and on about themselves.
- When you find this happening, change the subject to something that would still interest them but not be about them. Or cut the conversation short; hopefully they’ll eventually get the picture.
2
Scrutinize how little they listen to you. Pay attention to how much the other person knows about you. Does your “boyfriend” know why you hated growing up in Buffalo? Do you find that your neighbor, who’s always running out of something, rushes out the door as soon as you bring up something that’s been worrying you about work or your kids? That’s because of the four words – it’s all about them. If a person has no interest in getting to know you or about your life, they have another interest in you that is typically not to your benefit. ^{[15]
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- Discuss this issue with the other person and point it out when it happens.
3
Press for consistent communication. A person who is using someone else frequently won’t return phone calls, text messages and emails unless they want to do so. When your communication happens at times of the other’s choosing, making you feel like Plan B, it’s a sign that you really are Plan B. Either that or you’re needed for something, such as being the designated driver for a semi-buddy’s bachelor party perhaps.^{[16]
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- When this happens, explain that you find their behavior rude and ask that your communication is returned. If this doesn’t work, refuse to do whatever the person wants when they finally get around to contacting you.
4
Explain that your opinion matters. Does the person in question take your needs and thoughts into consideration before making decisions? Or before making decisions for you? For instance, does your roommate assume you’ll be the one to drive everywhere, even though you have needs, too, such as saving money on gas and not adding miles to your car? If your desires, needs and opinions aren’t factored into the relationship, you’re getting the short end of the stick.^{[18]
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- Tell the other person that you feel you’re being taken advantage of and taken for granted. Insist on discussing things before either of you make decisions that affect the other.
You ask questions, but you don’t get answers. Or you don’t get clear answers. The whole time, in whatever situation, you’re uncomfortably trying to figure out exactly what’s happening and where things are going.^{[19]
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6
Counter comparisons and one-upmanship. Some people are insecure and seek to dominate others in an effort to feel better about themselves and their lives. They always have a much better version, brand, method, experience, etc. These types are often “with” you romantically or spend time with you platonically (to teach you the proper way to fold clothes and linens, for ex.) to boost their self-esteem; they use others for emotional benefits and gains.^{[20]
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- If you notice this happening a lot, you might ask the other person why they want to be around you if you, your things or the way you do things are clearly lacking in their opinion.
7
Pay heed to betrayal. True friendship, in which you each have the other’s best interests at heart, depends upon trust. “What we say here, stays here” either is or is not in the other’s vocabulary. If you cannot confidently confide in someone, be wary. If you cannot confidently confide in someone without the fear of judgment, don’t reveal it in the first place. Unfortunately, you typically have to learn this lesson the hard way – by having your confidence betrayed.^{[21]
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- Nonetheless, you can decrease the chances of future damage by remembering who can and cannot be trusted and then not confiding in those people.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Striking a Balance

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1
Cut back on how much you help. Do you find yourself running a lot of errands for your boss that are not in your job description, constantly babysitting your cousin’s children, bailing your son out of trouble every time you turn around, doing your “study” partner’s work just so you can be done? Do you cancel plans because the other person had a rough day and needs to talk? If you’re doing these types of things for someone on a regular basis – for free – consider yourself being taken advantage of, unfortunately.^{[22]
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- Think about how often they do things for you. For instance, do they leave dishes in the sink all day, then expect you to clean AND cook dinner? That's a subtle type of disrespect.^{[25]
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- It's important to set boundaries when dealing with someone you think is taking advantage of you. Your boundaries should limit the impact their behaviors have on you. For example, you might tell them that you won't answer your phone after 9:00 p.m., even if it's an "emergency." Be sure to follow through with consequences if they violate your boundaries.^{[26]
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- Unless they are doing as much for you, even if in other ways, pull back on your support. You will likely meet resistance, so kindly explain your reasons. It’s in their hands at that point.
2
Try to ensure that what's borrowed is returned. Rent is due in three days, but your friend still hasn’t returned the $300 you lent them three weeks ago. A colleague “borrows” an idea, then basks in the glory when others rave about their brilliance.^{[27]
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- In the case of borrowed items, ask the person to return what’s been borrowed before you lend anything else. If nothing’s returned, don’t loan again.
- In the case of borrowed ideas, decide if addressing the issue would create a bigger issue. If not, talk about it and in the future be careful about what you share and with whom.
3
Don’t spend more than you can afford on the other. Pull out your calculators and add up how much the person is costing you. Is your partner living with you for free, or only paying the utility bills, for instance? Do you find yourself always picking up the restaurant bill when you’re out with your family? If your final calculation reveals a high figure, at a minimum your relationship isn’t balanced (maybe right along with your checkbook). At the most, you’re being used, both financially and emotionally.^{[29]
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- For the big things like living expenses, let the other person know what you’ve decided, why you made the decision and both how and when you will implement the changes.
- For smaller things like picking up a bar tab, simply pay only your portion. If your friend conveniently “forgot” her wallet, the next time you meet for drinks slip in a sly, “Hey, don’t forget your wallet if you’re swapping purses again.”
4
Stop coming to their rescue so frequently. Now tally the number of dire emergencies, such as needing a truck to move furniture, that only you’re able to help with and the number of last minute but critical needs, such as pet sitting while the other person is on vacation, that only you can handle. Add to that the frequency at which the other is in the midst of some kind of drama and needs you, right now. Subtract how often they are there for you when you need someone to talk to or need help (particularly serious help), and the result will strongly correlate with whether or not you’re being used.^{[32]
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- In fact, think back to the last time that person did you a favor without you asking. Or surprised you with a present, card or dinner.
- Now determine if your return on investment, or ROI, is paying off for you.
5
Resist the desire to try harder. Because you feel a need to be in the relationship, you might find yourself working harder to make it work, in spite of being and feeling used. Often you do so much that you fail to take care of your own needs. At times you convince yourself that it doesn’t bother you because you love the person or you feel the person needs you. Yet this feeling is typically fleeting because healthy relationships require a give and take. Other times you feel stuck because it’s a relationship you can’t easily avoid, like those at work or even those with certain family members.^{[34]
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- Be careful that you don't adopt the persona of a caretaker or martyr. Taking care of other people may make you feel valuable and needed, and it can even meet some of your unmet needs. However, it's harmful for you in the long-run.
- When you find yourself wanting to please the other person, write down what you’re feeling, why you’re feeling this way and if doing what you planned to do for the other person will a) take away from what you need, b) go unappreciated and c) fail to solve the problem.
- If the answer to all three questions is yes, do something for yourself instead.
6
Discuss your feelings of resentment. When you recognize the imbalance in the relationship, and are no longer able to brush it off, you often begin feeling resentful. This may lead to feeling irritated with the other person. Depending upon your personality, that irritation can show itself in a variety of ways, some of which could result in consequences you may not want to pay, that could make you feel poorly about yourself or cause you to live with regret.^{[36]
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- To avoid reaching this point, talk calmly in a neutral environment with the other person about how you’re feeling resentful. And, remember: It may not go the way you want, but it wasn’t going well prior to the discussion, either.

Join the Discussion...

Tell me your biggest dating red flags.

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WikiRiverDancer234

Okay wikiHow, don’t let me down. I took a few years off from dating after a frankly brutal series of short-lived relationships and I’ve decid... Read More

John Keegan
Dating Coach

So, big red flags, let’s see…I’d say if someone's being dishonest in any way, that’s a huge one. You want to look out for people being ev... Read More

WikiStoatLeaper264

I think communication red flags are important to look out for early on in the dating process. A relationship is built on solid communication. Do... Read More

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Question

How can I tell if a friend is using me?

Paul Chernyak, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Paul Chernyak is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Chicago. He graduated from the American School of Professional Psychology in 2011.

Paul Chernyak, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Expert Answer

Notice if your friend often disregards your needs while expecting you to tend to theirs. This can be a sign that you're being used.

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How do I know if I am the one using someone?

Paul Chernyak, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Paul Chernyak is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Chicago. He graduated from the American School of Professional Psychology in 2011.

Paul Chernyak, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Expert Answer

The easiest way to tell is if the relationship feels very 1-sided. If the person is always going out of their way to help you, but you never reciprocate, then you may be using them.

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How do you know if you're being used in a relationship?

Allison Broennimann, PhD
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Allison Broennimann is a licensed Clinical Psychologist with a private practice based in the San Francisco Bay Area providing psychotherapy and neuropsychology services. With over a decade of experience, Dr. Broennimann specializes in in-depth psychotherapy to provide solution-focused treatments for anxiety, depression, relationship problems, grief, adjustment problems, traumatic stress, and phase-of-life transitions. And as part of her neuropsychology practice, she integrates depth psychotherapy and cognitive rehabilitation for those recovering after traumatic brain injury. Dr. Broennimann holds a BA in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and an MS and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University. She is licensed by the California Board of Psychology and is a member of the American Psychological Association.

Allison Broennimann, PhD

Clinical Psychologist

Expert Answer

Think about whether or not they show you respect. One way to do that is by paying attention to whether they leave messes for you to clean up. One or two dishes in the sink isn't a big deal, but if they leave a big pile of dishes in the sink, then expect you to cook dinner, you might start to resent that.

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Tips

Listen to your gut. Sometimes when your head is telling you one thing and your heart another, you should probably go with your instincts.

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To find out if someone is using you for money, cut them off. If you don’t see the person anymore, you have your answer.

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Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself. If you’re being mistreated, you have the right to let the person not only know you realize it but also that you won’t tolerate it in the future.

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