Can anyone spot fake psychics? The answer is yes, but…
Many people avoid getting psychic readings because they assume they won’t be able to spot a scam. And that’s SO sad because psychic and tarot readings can be super helpful!
So, let’s learn how to spot fake psychics so you can feel confident… and get a reading that knocks your fuzzy socks off! :)
Disclosure: The links in this post may be affiliate links which means this site profits when you take action on my recommendations. But I only recommend stuff I’ve used and recommend to my own mom.
How to Spot Fake Psychics
Let’s face it: people are scared of being cheated by fake psychics (emotionally and financially). And it’s a shame, because real psychics and mediums can help people find clarity.
Luckily, anyone who is paying attention can spot fake psychics, and yes, in two seconds flat… even if they have never had a reading before.
Spotting fake psychics isn’t as hard as you may think.
Why do smart people get scammed?
Most often, when people get scammed, it is when they are in a vulnerable place in their lives. Think about it…
Have you ever needed a solution to a problem, or been desperate to find your way out of an unhappy situation? I know I have. In fact, I was scammed into paying $700 for an intuitive reading once.
BUT, being forewarned is being forearmed.
Real psychics will never:
- Use fear tactics
- Manipulate you into coming back for more readings
- Claim to read your mind
- Say there is a curse (or dark energy) around you
- Ask for money to pray for you, work a spell for you, or lift a curse
- Tell you the future is 100% certain (remember, we all have free-will)
- Claim they can control fate or destiny
- Give false promises or guarantees
- Ask a lot of leading questions
Also read: List of Psychic Scams
Real psychics will:
- Be honest, giving you the “good” and “bad” news you need to know, with compassion
- Give the reading for your highest and best good
- Explain how you can lift any negative energy in your life
- Provide information that only you could know to prove their connection with you
- Give you awesome insight about love and relationships
For more on this, read: 5 Traits of Good Psychic Readers
Now that you know about real vs. fake psychics, let’s take a closer look at scams:
Common Psychic Scams
The Curse
This is the easiest scam to recognize and the oldest in the book. The fake psychic may tell you that there is “dark energy” or “cloud” over you. Or they might say that your family is cursed.
You see, fake psychics use fear tactics to scare you into giving them information they can use to further scam you… and keep you coming back for more.
These frauds love to string people along to control people, and milk them for as much money as possible.
Tip: phony psychics will often use props like candles or eggs that will “absorb” the curse or energy from you.
- Read more about why curses aren’t real here
The questioning psychic
Fake psychics may ask a great many questions. This is how they can learn enough about you to devise a “reading” that you will believe.
They also may ask you leading questions to get you telling more than you had planned on.. and then use that information to “read” your situation.
The “yes man” psychic
The opposite of using scare tactics is when a phony psychic tells the person only what they want to hear.
“Seeing” things like love and money are the things that most everyone wants more of in their lives. Some fake psychics use promises as a way of keeping someone coming back for more “happy endings.”
True psychics tell the good, the bad and the ugly so that you have the information you need to act.
The approaching psychic
If a psychic approaches you on the street to do a reading, think “stranger danger!”
Legitimate psychics don’t randomly approach people; they know that for a reading to be helpful, the person must be ready to hear it.
Usually, a psychic who approaches you will use fear tactics to get money from you.
So, if a psychic approaches you, tell them you’re not interested. You are better off finding a psychic yourself or using a reputable service (that tests their psychics) like Oranum.
The Promising Psychic
Psychic frauds may tell you that they can heal your ailments. But it’s a major red flag if a psychic promises that you will be healed.
Another popular trick is the promise of good fortune or love. These fakes hone in on the human need to be loved and happy. But no one can change someone else’s will…
We all have control over our own lives and actions. And no one can make us do something we don’t want to do, like fall in love with someone.
Scary email (or social media message)
Remember those chain text messages or Facebook posts that say something like:
“This Friday, the person you love will give you a kiss at 10 p.m. under the full moon. To make this come true, you must send this to 10 people, never the same person twice. If you don’t, bad luck will fall on you for seven years” or some such nonsense?
The scary psychic email is pretty much the same. Except in this version, a psychic contacts you to say they have information about your or a deceased loved one.
In these cases, it’s very unlikely that the person has a real spirit message for you.
Read: Online Psychic Scams
In fact, this is a similar scam to the fake psychic who approaches you on the street… except this one comes at you from the digital realm!
Fake Psychic Takeaways
So after all that scamming and trickery, we have to wonder: are psychics and mediums even real? Or is it all just smoke and mirrors and con artists?
Fortunately, there are real psychics in the world who do ethical, professional work in order to help people.
Tip: To avoid a scam, use a reliable psychic network. Our absolute favorite and most trusted psychic network is Oranum.
And of course, always remember to trust your gut!
