Odd Choice of Binning
Instead of showing the full range of variation in a data set, someone might try to oversimplify a complex pattern. It’s easy to transform a continuous variable into a categorical one. Broad binning can be useful, but complexity is often what makes things worth looking at. Be aware of oversimplification.
Area Sized by Single Dimension
Most of time human’s eyes can not accurately tell how much is a square or a circle. When data are linearly sized an area-based encoding, like a square or a circle, they might be sniffing for dramatics.
Variation with Area Dimensions
Maybe someone knows how area as a visual encoding works, and then they go and do something like the above. Theses fill the same amount of area, but they look very different and still dramatic.
Extra Dimensions
When you see a three dimensional chart that is three dimensions for no good reason. It is worth to question the data, the chart, the author and everything based on the chart. That extra dimension could be nothing but just a distract factor.
Important: It does not absolutely mean a visualization is lying just because it exhibit one of the previously mentioned qualities. With that in mind, make sure you have the right reaction before you call someone a liar.
As rule of thumb, scrutinize charts that shock or seem more dramatic than you thought.
https://flowingdata.com/2017/02/09/how-to-spot-visualization-lies/