What are some good ways to spot psychic frauds and con artists?
Regardless of their stance on serious research, few people will deny that there are many con artists trying to make money by convincing people of their special "knowledge and abilities". Not only are they scamming people, these con artists are a burden to any serious investigation of unexplained phenomena. How can people spot them and avoid being taken advantage of?
people who charge an obscene amount of money and won’t tell you anything until you’ve paid them. Now, granted, a medium charging money is basically asking for an exchange. She’s giving you her energy, she needs you to give her something in return for it. It really does drain a psychic physically when she reads someone. But the exchange doesn’t have to be money. We just don’t do bartering anymore, we use money for everything, but you could pay her in cookies if she’d take it, if you know what I mean.
But I think anyone who charges over $100 for a reading isn’t in it b/c she feels she has a gift to share with the world. Like Sylvia Browne for example. Do you know what she charges for a half hour reading? something like $700. I wouldn’t trust her as far as I could pick her up and throw her. A good psychic is one who stops you on teh street b/c she HAS to tell you something. It might not even be something you understand, but she feels an overwhelming need to share her message with you. Those are the ones worth paying for. But sadly, b/c of the general rap that psychics get, most don’t share that they even have a gift with the world, b/c people will call them insane. The really good ones are people you don’t hear about sadly.
trust your gut. If it seems to good to be true, ,it likely is. Other ways to tell are during the actual reading, which if you ask me, is too late. But it’s things like, giving you really general stuff that could apply to absolutely anyone. "I see money coming in for you". or "someone you love died, didn’t they?" or "I see a name starting with J…." A real psychic will be able to give you details, small intimate details, they’ll be able to describe a deceased loved one for example, or tell you something about them only you would know. But yeah…these people are rare. There far more con artists out there giving true psychics a really bad name.
November 1st, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Basic rule of thumb. If somebody claims to have psychic powers, just assume that (s)he is a con artist who wants to scam you. It may or may not be true, but it WILL save you time and money in the long run.
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November 1st, 2009 at 4:09 pm
people who charge an obscene amount of money and won’t tell you anything until you’ve paid them. Now, granted, a medium charging money is basically asking for an exchange. She’s giving you her energy, she needs you to give her something in return for it. It really does drain a psychic physically when she reads someone. But the exchange doesn’t have to be money. We just don’t do bartering anymore, we use money for everything, but you could pay her in cookies if she’d take it, if you know what I mean.
But I think anyone who charges over $100 for a reading isn’t in it b/c she feels she has a gift to share with the world. Like Sylvia Browne for example. Do you know what she charges for a half hour reading? something like $700. I wouldn’t trust her as far as I could pick her up and throw her. A good psychic is one who stops you on teh street b/c she HAS to tell you something. It might not even be something you understand, but she feels an overwhelming need to share her message with you. Those are the ones worth paying for. But sadly, b/c of the general rap that psychics get, most don’t share that they even have a gift with the world, b/c people will call them insane. The really good ones are people you don’t hear about sadly.
trust your gut. If it seems to good to be true, ,it likely is. Other ways to tell are during the actual reading, which if you ask me, is too late. But it’s things like, giving you really general stuff that could apply to absolutely anyone. "I see money coming in for you". or "someone you love died, didn’t they?" or "I see a name starting with J…." A real psychic will be able to give you details, small intimate details, they’ll be able to describe a deceased loved one for example, or tell you something about them only you would know. But yeah…these people are rare. There far more con artists out there giving true psychics a really bad name.
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November 1st, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Look to see if that person has anything to gain personally from convincing you of their mysterious powers. If someone tells you they can see your bodily energy with their powers, that your energy is out of balance, that that can lead to illness, and that luckily for you, they have a product that may LOOK like mere water, but it can cure you for as little as $50, chances are that’s a scam artist.
Be even more wary if this person is saying this to a crowd of people.
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November 1st, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Use common sense, a commodity that can be surprisingly rare. Used properly, it kills scams more effectively than Demestos deals with bacteria. If something sounds too incredible to be true, then that’s probably because it is too incredible to be true. If something’s hard to believe, than go for the easier option until evidence is available allowing another option. Don’t believe it.
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November 1st, 2009 at 5:18 pm
I think there are two kinds of psychics out there: (1) the kind that aren’t psychic but think they are, and (2) the kind that aren’t psychic and know they aren’t. It’s the psychics in the 2nd camp that you have to be wary of, and it always comes down to money. The more they charge and the more they capitalize on spiritualist clap-trap to make money, the more likely they are deliberate scammers.
However, any time you’re paying money for any kind of psychic service, you’re throwing your money down the drain, unless the placebo effect is of value
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November 1st, 2009 at 5:52 pm
The con artist is almost always in it exclusively for the money and they play on people’s fears to get it. So not only do they charge consistently much more then the average psychic, but they also find reasons why the person needs to come back to them over and over. The most common fraud I have heard about is the scammer tell their client that that the client has had a curse put on them – probably by someone they are close to. (which of course scares the client and makes them second-guess their relationships – this really upsets me) Then the scammer tells them that for an extra fee -usually in the thousands – they will remove the curse.
I’ve also been told about scammer ghost hunters who walk into public buildings, tell the staff – oh you are being haunted there is a ghost next to your desk. then they will make some kind of symbol with their hands and tell the person, I cleared it. If you want me to come back and clear the rest – its X amount of dollars. (again usually a ridiculous amount). Again they have scared the person into believing something that isn’t true – which is appalling.
I also recommend to people to check out a person’s reputation and track record. Do you know anyone who has seen this person before? How did they find their reading / service? Would they recommend them?
Also, check out who they are associated with. Do quality organizations contract them or do they work completely on their own? Again focus on quality. Just because its an organization doesn’t mean it isn’t as fraudulent as the person being questioned, so do your research.
Lastly never pay more then you can afford to. It doesn’t matter what the cost is, if it will seriously hinder your budget then it isn’t worth it – even if its a legitimate service.
And remember you are in charge of your own life. People can give you guidance but you are always the judge of what you chose to do.
I hope that helps.
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November 1st, 2009 at 6:40 pm
The best way is to simply know that anyone who claims to be a psychic is a fraud. No man has ever proved objectively that he has such powers.
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November 1st, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Anyone who is vague. There is no reason for a real psychic to be vague about anything. Vaguery is a cold-reading technique and of course cold-reading is a con. The less ‘gypsy’ and the less ‘witchy’ a person claiming to be a psychic looks, the more apt I am to give them more benefit of the doubt. Too much show means it’s probably a show… Though looking ‘professional’ turns me off, too. Anyway, the place to look for a real psychic is your local shops. Ask around. If you get the same name or two from more than one shop, then it’s a good be that person has some genuine ability.
_
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I <3 witches
November 1st, 2009 at 7:28 pm
If they are really really good, and hit the mark all the time, they are probably con artists. A great show to watch is Crossing Over with John Edwards. I don’t know if they still air that show, but its a good example of how convincing a con artist can be. I’ve seen him completely miss the mark and talk through it. Even as the viewer starts I would wonder if I misheard Jon Edwards. However, I used to tape the show in college, and when you do that, you can rewind and verify. Believe me, he is as fake as they come, but on the other hand, very convincing, doubly so for someone watching live.
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November 1st, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Very simple
Just assume they are all frauds and you’ll never be disappointed.
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November 1st, 2009 at 8:11 pm
I am a psychic!!! lets agree a fee and you can ask me whatever you want.
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