Dr. Phil says that even though he was taught to give people the benefit of the doubt, he thinks that’s “insane.”
 
“I don’t think you give people benefit of the doubt,” he explains. “I think what you have to do is don’t be pessimistic, don’t be paranoid, but you just go at it and collect data.”
 

Hear more of his reasoning – and why you have to be on the lookout for exploiters --  in the video above.
 
On Thursday’s episode, Dr. Phil speaks with Brian, Liz and Bethany who claim their former friend, Sarah, fabricated multiple stories about herself, including that she had terminal cancer and muscular dystrophy – and they say they feel violated, betrayed and angry with Sarah and want answers. Sarah says she lies because her “real” life is “not very exciting.”