There are con-people in any line of business, but with psychics, it is harder than with most professions to spot a fraud.
When an 81-year-old woman became separated from her husband of 56 years, she wound up paying $900 to a company called Psychic Readings by Lauren. The psychic seemed friendly, and she was promised reimbursement if her husband never returned, but when he didn’t, the woman found it impossible to get her money back.
According to IBISWorld, the psychic industry takes $2 billion per year in the US alone. With the above story in mind, we decided to take a further look to see just how often this was garnered through fraudulent means.
Indeed, experts in the field acknowledge that there is a great deal of issues when it comes to spotting a fraud. The charlatans of the industry apparently coax information from their customers and then lead them into making higher payments to provide solutions.
Real psychics, however, don’t work like that; they operate through vibrations, and conversation is barely ever necessary. Simply put, inquisitive ‘psychics’ should be avoided at all costs.
If you’re having a reading, allow the psychic to point out some specific details about your life, but only provide brief answers that do not lead them on too much—if they’re a charlatan, they will come up with nothing. Psychics also usually con people out of money by telling them they are cursed.
Michelle Beltran, who charges $405 for 45-minute sessions, was named Psychic of the Year in 2017 by Best American Psychics; if you are not paying, she does not speak. Jusstine Kenzer, on the other hand, is a Los Angeles–based psychic who charges $375/session, and also remarked that a fake psychic will tell you that you are cursed and that they can remove the hex for a certain price.
She also stated that psychic readings are guidance, and that they are meant to inspire, not cure.
This is not licensed work, to be sure, but professional psychics can certainly be penalized for illegal business practices. A phone-reading company was fined $5 million in 2002 when it turned out they were charging $4.99/minute, with the employees being ordered to keep the phone calls going for ridiculous lengths of time.
According to Yelp reviews, many other customers have run afoul of Psychic Readings by Lauren. One customer was ordered to pay $1,000 to remove a hex on her romantic life. Her $100 deposit, for the first session, was never returned. Another customer was ordered to sleep with $7,000 in physical cash in her bed; she didn’t, because she got the distinct impression that she would be robbed in the middle of the night.
This article sheds light on a grave issue that is often overlooked. The exploitation of vulnerable individuals in their time of need by fraudulent psychics is appalling. We must raise awareness and educate others to prevent such scams.
While I appreciate the effort to expose frauds in the psychic industry, it’s crucial to remember that not all psychics are con artists. There are genuine practitioners who provide real value, even if their methods aren’t scientifically validated.
“Guidance meant to inspire”—an exquisite euphemism for taking advantage of human desperation! One must ponder the ethical implications of such practices masquerading as spiritual enlightenment.
“Psychic” and “professional” should never be in the same sentence. This industry thrives on gullibility and desperation, and it’s astonishing that people still fall for these tricks after centuries of documented fraud.
‘Cursed’? Really? What’s next, paying someone to sweep my bad vibes away? At this rate, I might as well sell my own ‘energy cleanse’ sessions for a profit!
This article brilliantly illuminates the predatory practices that plague the psychic industry. It’s about time we shed light on these charlatans and hold them accountable for exploiting vulnerable individuals.
The article provides a rather one-sided view of psychics. While fraud does exist, it’s essential to recognize that there are practitioners who offer genuine guidance. Let’s not paint everyone with the same brush.
While I find the subject fascinating, I can’t help but wonder: if there are indeed genuine psychics out there, how do we distinguish between them and the fakes? Perhaps more nuanced discussions are needed.
‘Cursed’? Please! At this rate, I’m going to start charging folks $50 just to tell them they’ve had bad luck because they forgot their umbrella last week. Where do I sign up for this psychic gig?
This post reflects a long-standing trend throughout history where charlatans exploit belief systems for profit. From snake oil salesmen to today’s online psychic scammers, it’s fascinating—and tragic—to observe humanity’s penchant for believing in the extraordinary.
This is a classic case of gullibility. People should educate themselves before throwing their money at dubious ‘services.’ It’s almost comical how easily some fall for these scams!
‘Psychic Readings by Lauren’? Sounds like a delightful brunch spot where they serve tarot-infused mimosas! Honestly, who would hand over $900? You could buy a solid used car for that price!
‘Real psychics don’t require conversation’? How poetic! Perhaps I should apply this logic next time I visit my doctor—who needs medical advice when you can just vibe your way through ailments?
“$900 to be told your husband isn’t coming back?” This must be the most expensive breakup advice ever! If anything, these stories serve as cautionary tales wrapped in irony.
‘Psychics who operate through vibrations’? Sounds like a new age band name! But seriously, this highlights a troubling trend in our society where people seek answers from anyone but themselves.
Interesting how society clings to the idea of psychic abilities. If we accept that some people can predict the future, doesn’t it imply a deterministic universe? Or are we simply grasping at straws for control in an unpredictable world?