The Psychic Said I Had a Curse Only She Could Remove… For $1000
Sarah visited a psychic who, after a brief reading, gravely informed her she was under a “dark family curse” that was causing all her misfortunes. The psychic claimed only she possessed the unique power to remove this curse, but it would require a special ritual costing $1,000. Fearful, Sarah almost paid. This is a classic psychic scam. Fraudsters invent curses or negative energies, then offer expensive “solutions” that only they can provide, preying on fear and superstition.
My ‘Free Tarot Reading’ Led to Demands for Money to ‘Fix’ My Bad Future
Liam responded to an ad for a “free online tarot reading.” The initial reading was vague but hinted at upcoming troubles and bad luck. The “psychic” then offered a more detailed, paid consultation for $50 to “clarify these negative influences” and eventually suggested costly “spiritual work” to avert the supposed misfortune. “Free” readings are often bait to lure victims into paying for further services to address fabricated problems or bad omens.
How I Realized My Online Psychic Was Using Cold Reading Techniques on Me
Maria had several chat sessions with an online psychic. She noticed the psychic made many general statements that could apply to anyone (e.g., “you’ve experienced a recent loss,” “you worry about finances”), asked leading questions, and then cleverly rephrased Maria’s own responses back to her as “psychic insights.” This is cold reading – a set of techniques used by mentalists and some fraudulent psychics to create the illusion of paranormal ability by making high-probability guesses and observing reactions.
The ‘Love Spell’ That Cost Me Hundreds and Did Nothing (Except Scam Me)
Heartbroken after a breakup, Ben paid an online “spell caster” $300 for a powerful “love spell” guaranteed to bring his ex back. Weeks passed, and nothing changed. The spell caster then asked for more money for “stronger energies.” Love spells, curse removals, and other magical interventions sold by psychics or spell casters are scams. They exploit emotional vulnerability, charge significant fees for rituals that have no effect, and often demand more money when the “spell” inevitably fails.
Psychic Scams: They Prey on Grief, Hope, and Vulnerability
Chloe, grieving the loss of her mother, sought comfort from a medium who claimed to communicate with the deceased. The medium offered vague “messages” and then began asking for money for “spiritual cleansing” to help her mother’s spirit “rest.” Psychic scammers often target individuals when they are at their most vulnerable – grieving, facing uncertainty, or desperate for answers or hope – making them more susceptible to manipulation and financial exploitation.
The ‘Lottery Number Prediction’ From a Psychic That Never Came True
David paid a psychic $100 who “guaranteed” to provide him with winning lottery numbers through a “vision.” The numbers, of course, did not win. When David complained, the psychic said his “negative energy” must have interfered and offered to try again for another fee. No one can legitimately predict lottery numbers. Psychics offering such services are scammers preying on the desire for quick wealth.
How to Spot a Fake Psychic: Vague Predictions, Demands for More Money
Sarah visited a psychic whose predictions were extremely general (“you will face a challenge soon,” “a financial opportunity is coming”). After the initial reading, the psychic insisted Sarah needed ongoing, expensive “spiritual work” to achieve happiness or avoid disaster. Fake psychics often make vague, unverifiable pronouncements (Barnum statements), then quickly pivot to upselling costly additional services, spells, or curse removals as the “only solution” to fabricated problems.
The ‘Medium’ Who Claimed to Talk to My Deceased Relative (And Got It All Wrong)
Liam attended a session with a medium who claimed to be channeling his late grandfather. The medium offered “messages” that were generic, or entirely incorrect about his grandfather’s personality and life details. Some mediums use cold reading or information gleaned from social media (hot reading) to create the illusion of communicating with the deceased. Often, their “insights” are wildly inaccurate or could apply to anyone.
My Experience With a Psychic Hotline That Drained My Bank Account
Maria, feeling lost, started calling a psychic hotline. The readers were skilled at keeping her on the line, offering tantalizing tidbits and then urging her to stay for “just a few more minutes” to hear crucial information, all while the per-minute charges (e.g., $4.99/minute) racked up. She ended up with a phone bill over $500. Psychic hotlines can be addictive and extremely expensive, designed to prolong calls and maximize charges.
The ‘Aura Cleansing’ That Was Just an Expensive Light Show
Ben paid $150 for an “aura cleansing and chakra balancing” session that involved lying down while the practitioner waved colored lights and crystals over him, making humming sounds. He felt no different afterward. Many “energy healing” modalities like aura cleansing lack scientific basis and rely on placebo effects or sensory experiences. Scammers charge significant fees for these unproven, often theatrical, “treatments.”
Why You Should Never Give Personal Information to a Psychic You Don’t Trust
Chloe was asked by a phone psychic for her full birth date, mother’s maiden name, and address for an “in-depth astrological chart.” This is sensitive personal information that could be used for identity theft. While some legitimate astrologers may ask for birth details, be extremely cautious about providing extensive personal data to unfamiliar psychics, especially if they solicit it early or seem unprofessional.
The Psychic Who ‘Saw’ a Dark Entity Around Me and Offered Costly Exorcism
During a reading, a psychic told David with great alarm that a “dark entity” or “negative attachment” was latched onto him, causing his problems. She offered to perform a series of “spiritual exorcism” rituals to remove it, for a fee starting at $800. This is a fear-mongering tactic used by psychic scammers to frighten victims into paying for expensive, unnecessary, and bogus “spiritual cleansing” services.
How These Scammers Use Social Media to Find and Groom Victims
Sarah followed a “spiritual advisor” on Instagram who posted inspiring quotes and offered “free mini-readings” via DM. After a brief, vague reading, the advisor suggested Sarah’s “energy was blocked” and offered a paid “healing session.” Psychic scammers use social media to build a following, gain trust with generic positive content, and then privately groom individuals into paying for personalized (but still often bogus) services.
The ‘Prosperity Ritual’ That Only Brought Prosperity to the Scammer
Liam, hoping to improve his financial situation, paid a psychic $500 for a “powerful prosperity ritual” that involved special candles and incantations, guaranteed to attract wealth. His finances did not improve. The psychic then claimed “stronger energies” were needed, for an additional fee. Financial rituals or money spells sold by psychics are scams designed to exploit people’s hopes for a better financial future.
I Paid for a ‘Soulmate Sketch’ From a Psychic – It Was a Generic Drawing
Maria paid an online psychic $49.99 for a “personalized soulmate sketch and description.” The drawing she received was a generic, attractive face that could resemble many people, and the description was filled with vague, universally desirable traits. These “soulmate sketch” offers are often scams using pre-drawn images or AI-generated faces, providing no genuine psychic insight.
The Escalating Demands of a Psychic Scammer: From Small Fees to Life Savings
Ben initially paid a psychic $50 for a reading. She then identified “serious spiritual blockages” requiring $200 to clear. This escalated over months, with increasingly dire warnings and requests for larger sums for more “powerful” rituals, until Ben had given her several thousand dollars. Psychic scams often start with small fees and then gradually escalate their demands as they gain the victim’s trust and dependency.
How to Recognize Barnum Statements (Vague Generalities) Used by Fake Psychics
Chloe noticed her psychic kept saying things like, “You have a great deal of unused capacity which you have not turned to your advantage,” or “At times you are extroverted, affable, sociable, while at other times you are introverted, wary, reserved.” These are Barnum statements – generalities that apply to most people but sound specific when delivered in a “reading.” Fake psychics use them heavily to seem insightful.
The ‘Generational Curse’ My Family Had to Pay a Psychic to Break
David’s mother was convinced by a psychic that their family was suffering from a “generational curse” passed down through ancestors, and that only a series of expensive rituals costing $5,000 could break it and restore their fortunes. The family pooled money and paid. Generational curse claims are a common, cruel tactic by psychic scammers to extract large sums from entire families by exploiting fear and family loyalty.
My Journey Out of Believing in a Psychic Who Was Controlling My Life
Sarah had become deeply dependent on a psychic for every life decision, paying her thousands over years. When the psychic’s predictions consistently failed and her demands grew, Sarah, with support from a skeptical friend, started questioning. She slowly realized the psychic was manipulating her. Breaking free involved cutting off contact, seeking therapy to rebuild self-trust, and understanding the psychology of psychic scams and control.
The ‘Magic Amulet’ Sold by a Psychic That Had No Special Powers
Liam paid a psychic $250 for a “blessed amulet” that was supposed to protect him from harm and bring good luck. It was a cheap piece of costume jewelry. When nothing changed, the psychic said he needed to “recharge” it for another fee. Scammers sell ordinary objects as “magic” talismans, charms, or amulets at inflated prices, claiming they possess special powers that they do not.
Reporting Psychic Scams: Is It Possible to Get Help?
Maria lost $5,000 to a psychic scammer who promised to remove a curse. She reported the fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), her state’s Attorney General, and the local police, providing all communication and payment records. While getting money back is difficult, reporting can lead to investigations, public warnings, and potentially help authorities build cases against serial fraudsters, especially if many victims report the same individual.
The ‘Palm Reading’ That Turned Into a High-Pressure Sales Pitch for More Services
Ben got a $20 palm reading at a local fair. The reader then told him his palm showed “serious impending danger” and “blocked energy pathways” that only she could fix through a series of expensive “spiritual cleansings” starting at $300. What began as a seemingly harmless entertainment quickly turned into a high-pressure sales pitch for costly, unproven follow-up services, a common tactic.
How Scammers Use Online Quizzes to Gather Info for ‘Personalized’ Psychic Scams
Chloe took a “What’s Your Spirit Animal?” quiz on social media that asked several seemingly innocuous personal questions. Later, she was contacted by a “psychic” whose “reading” for her referenced some of these details, making it seem more personalized and real. Scammers use online quizzes and surveys to gather personal information which they then incorporate into their cold readings or targeted scam pitches.
The Emotional Manipulation Used by Fortune Telling Scammers
David, feeling anxious about his future, consulted a fortune teller. She played on his fears, confirmed his anxieties, and then offered herself as the only one who could guide him through the “dark times ahead” – for ongoing, increasing fees. Fortune telling scammers are skilled at emotional manipulation, using a victim’s hopes, fears, and uncertainties to create dependency and extract money.
The Psychic Who Threatened Me With Bad Luck If I Didn’t Pay
When Sarah questioned a psychic’s escalating fees for “curse removal,” the psychic became angry and threatened her with “terrible bad luck” and “spiritual retribution” if she didn’t continue payments. This is an intimidation tactic used by some unscrupulous psychics to frighten victims into compliance and continued payment, preying on superstition and fear of negative consequences.
Why ‘Guaranteed Results’ From a Psychic Are Always a Red Flag
Liam found a psychic online who “guaranteed” her love spell would reunite him with his ex within 7 days, or his money back. The spell failed, and he never got a refund. No legitimate psychic, medium, or spiritual practitioner can or should guarantee specific life outcomes (like love, wealth, or health). Such guarantees are a hallmark of a scam. Life is unpredictable.
The ‘Past Life Regression’ That Felt Scripted and Fake
Maria paid $200 for a past life regression session, hoping for insight. The practitioner guided her through a “regression” that felt very generic and scripted, like a common historical romance novel, and offered no real personal meaning. Some practitioners offering services like past life regression may lack genuine skill or simply lead clients through imaginative exercises presented as authentic spiritual experiences, charging significant fees.
How I Learned to Trust My Intuition (The Real Kind) Over Fake Psychics
After a bad experience with a psychic who exploited her, Chloe learned to pay more attention to her own gut feelings and critical thinking. She realized that true intuition doesn’t create fear or demand money, but offers quiet guidance. She stopped seeking external validation from psychics and started cultivating her own inner wisdom and decision-making skills, recognizing that was more reliable than any paid “reading.”
The ‘Famous TV Psychic’ (Impersonator) Who Contacted Me Online
Ben received a Facebook message from an account appearing to be a famous TV psychic, offering him a personal reading for a “special discounted price.” The account was a fake, an impersonator using the celebrity psychic’s name and photos to lure unsuspecting fans into paying for bogus readings or sending personal information. Always verify such unsolicited offers through official celebrity channels.
Protecting Vulnerable Friends and Family From Psychic Scams
David noticed his elderly aunt was spending a lot of money on phone calls with a “spiritual advisor.” He gently talked to her about psychic scams, explained how they prey on loneliness and hope, and encouraged her to discuss any financial decisions with him first. Protecting vulnerable individuals often involves patient education, open communication, and helping them recognize manipulative tactics without judgment.
The ‘Astrology Chart Reading’ That Was Computer-Generated Nonsense
Sarah paid $75 for a “detailed personalized astrology chart reading.” The lengthy report she received was clearly computer-generated, filled with generic astrological interpretations that could apply to anyone born around her birth date, and lacked any real personal insight. Many online “astrology readings” are simply automated reports using basic software, sold as bespoke, expert interpretations.
How Psychic Scammers Isolate Victims From Skeptical Friends and Family
When Liam’s friends expressed concern about the large sums he was giving his psychic, the psychic told him his friends were “negative influences” and “jealous of his spiritual growth,” advising him to distance himself from them. Psychic scammers often try to isolate their victims from anyone who might question their influence or expose the scam, thereby increasing the victim’s dependency.
The ‘Spiritual Advisor’ Who Advised Me Into Financial Ruin
Maria’s “spiritual advisor,” whom she trusted deeply, started giving her “divinely guided” financial advice, urging her to invest in risky ventures and give large “donations” for “spiritual protection.” Following this advice led to Maria losing her savings. Some psychic scammers escalate from readings to offering life coaching or financial “guidance,” leading victims into disastrous decisions while profiting themselves.
When a Psychic Asks for Your Bank Account Details to ‘Bless’ Your Money
Ben’s psychic told him his money was “cursed” and he needed to withdraw a large sum (e.g., $5,000) and bring it to her, or provide his bank account details, so she could perform a “cleansing ritual” or “blessing” to remove the curse and multiply it. This is a direct theft scam. No legitimate spiritual practitioner will ever ask for access to your cash or bank accounts to “bless” or “cleanse” money.
The Difference Between Entertainment and Predatory Psychic Scams
Chloe enjoys getting occasional tarot readings at fairs for fun, viewing it as entertainment and not taking it too seriously. She understands this is different from predatory psychic scams where fraudsters make dire predictions, claim special powers to solve problems for large fees, create dependency, and exploit vulnerable individuals financially and emotionally. The key is intent and impact.
My Experience Trying to Get a Refund From a Psychic Scammer
David realized the “curse removal” he paid $800 for was a scam. He contacted the psychic to demand a refund. She refused, became abusive, or disappeared. He reported it to his credit card company (if he paid that way), the FTC, and left online reviews warning others. Getting refunds from psychic scammers is very difficult, as they often operate anonymously or resist any accountability.
The ‘Crystal Healing’ That Was Just Overpriced Rocks and False Claims
Sarah bought several “healing crystals” from an online psychic for $200, guaranteed to cure her anxiety and improve her sleep. The crystals were ordinary stones, and they had no effect on her conditions. While some people find comfort in crystals, scammers sell them with unproven, exaggerated medical claims at highly inflated prices, often as part of a larger psychic or alternative healing scam.
How Scammers Use Cold Reading and Hot Reading to Appear Gifted
Liam was amazed when a psychic seemed to know details about his recently deceased father. He later learned about “hot reading” – where scammers research a client online (e.g., social media, obituaries) beforehand to gather information they then present as psychic insight. This, combined with “cold reading” (general statements and observation), can create a very convincing but entirely deceptive illusion of paranormal ability.
The ‘Numerology Report’ That Was Vague and Cost a Fortune
Maria paid $150 for a “comprehensive numerology report” based on her birth date and name. The report was lengthy but filled with generic personality traits and vague life path descriptions that could apply to almost anyone. Many online numerology, astrology, or personality reports are computer-generated using simple algorithms and sold for high prices as personalized, profound insights, offering little real value.
If a Psychic Creates Fear or Dependency, It’s Likely a Scam
Ben noticed that every session with his psychic left him feeling more anxious and convinced he needed her guidance to navigate impending doom she “foresaw.” A key tactic of scamming psychics is to instill fear and create dependency, making the victim believe they cannot cope or succeed without the psychic’s constant (and costly) intervention. Legitimate spiritual guidance should empower, not frighten or disempower.
The ‘Remote Viewing’ Psychic Who Couldn’t Find My Lost Keys (Or Anything Else)
Chloe, half-jokingly, paid an online “remote viewing” psychic $25 to help her find her lost car keys. The psychic gave vague, unhelpful “impressions” that led nowhere. While remote viewing is a controversial topic, scammers offer such services for lost items or missing persons with no actual ability, simply taking money for guesses or generic advice.
How Scammers Use Online Reviews (Both Fake Positive and Real Negative) for Psychics
David was looking for a psychic. He saw one with hundreds of glowing, generic 5-star reviews, but also a few very detailed 1-star reviews alleging fraud. Scammers buy fake positive reviews to boost their ratings and may aggressively try to remove or discredit legitimate negative reviews. A mix of overly positive and very damning reviews can be a sign of a problematic or fraudulent psychic.
The ‘Secret Ritual’ Only This Psychic Knew (And Charged Me Dearly For)
Sarah’s psychic claimed to possess knowledge of a “unique, powerful ancient ritual” – the only thing that could solve Sarah’s (psychic-diagnosed) problem. The ritual involved expensive, rare ingredients and a fee of $2,000. This claim of exclusive, secret knowledge or abilities is a common tactic by psychic scammers to justify exorbitant fees for their fabricated services.
Why You Should Be Wary of Psychics Who Contact YOU First
Liam received an unsolicited email from a “renowned psychic” who claimed she had an “urgent message for him from the spirit world” about his future, offering a reading for a fee. Legitimate psychics or spiritual advisors usually do not solicit clients through unsolicited emails, DMs, or cold calls. Such out-of-the-blue contact is often a sign of a scammer looking for victims.
The Devastation of Realizing Your Trusted ‘Psychic’ Was a Fraud
Maria had confided in her psychic for years, believing her to be a genuine guide and friend, and had given her thousands of dollars. When she finally realized the psychic was a manipulative fraud who had exploited her trust, the sense of betrayal, shame, and emotional devastation was profound, far outweighing even the financial loss. The violation of deep personal trust is a key harm in these scams.
The ‘Chakra Balancing’ That Had No Effect (Except on My Wallet)
Ben paid $100 for a “chakra balancing” session that involved lying still while the practitioner waved hands over him. He felt relaxed but noticed no other changes to his well-being. Many energy healing modalities like chakra balancing lack scientific proof of efficacy beyond placebo. Scammers may charge high fees for these sessions, making claims about physical or emotional healing that are not substantiated.
How to Find Reputable Spiritual Counselors vs. Scammers (If You Choose To)
Chloe, interested in spiritual guidance, learned to look for practitioners who were transparent about their methods, didn’t make wild guarantees or fear-based claims, had clear ethical guidelines, encouraged self-empowerment rather than dependency, and whose fees were reasonable and clearly stated upfront. She also sought referrals from trusted sources rather than responding to unsolicited offers. Distinguishing can be subtle but focuses on ethics and empowerment.
The Psychic Who Blamed ME When Their ‘Spells’ Didn’t Work
David paid for a “career success” spell. When he didn’t get the promotion he hoped for, the psychic blamed his “negative attitude” or “lack of faith” for the spell’s failure, then offered to do a more powerful (and expensive) ritual to counteract his “blockages.” Scammers often shift blame to the victim when their bogus spells or predictions inevitably fail, using it as a pretext to demand more money.
The Fine Print in Psychic Services: Often Disclaims Any Real Power
Sarah looked closely at the terms and conditions on a psychic’s website. Buried in the fine print was a disclaimer stating all readings were “for entertainment purposes only” and made “no guarantee of accuracy.” Many psychics, even those making strong claims in their marketing, include such disclaimers for legal protection. This often reveals they don’t genuinely stand by their paranormal claims.
Breaking Free: How I Stopped Relying on Psychics and Reclaimed My Power
After years of spending money and outsourcing her decisions to psychics, Maria realized she needed to reclaim her own agency. She stopped all contact, sought support from friends, and focused on developing her own critical thinking, intuition, and problem-solving skills. Breaking free from psychic dependency involves recognizing the manipulation, rebuilding self-trust, and taking responsibility for one’s own life choices and future.