Genuine Psychic or Scam? How to Tell a Real Reader

By Team Shamans For Hire · October 30, 2026 · 7 min read

Tarot cards, candles and a crystal ball on a purple cloth

Short answer: a genuine psychic or spiritual reader is clear about price before you start, honest about what they can and can't do, never uses fear or urgency, and respects your medical care and your right to say no. A scammer typically finds a "curse" or "dark energy", charges to remove it, then keeps finding reasons for more payments, often asking for secrecy and hard-to-trace payment methods.

Why this matters

Fortune-telling fraud is a long-standing and well-documented crime. Victims are often people going through grief, illness, divorce or loneliness, which is exactly when they're most likely to seek guidance. Police in New York, Florida and California have prosecuted cases in which clients lost hundreds of thousands of dollars to "spiritual" advisers, and the FBI and FTC both list fear-and-urgency tactics among the most common signs of fraud. Knowing the pattern protects you and the many sincere readers whose reputations suffer from imitators.

The classic scam in five stages

The hook. A free or cheap reading through an ad, social media message or storefront.
The scare. You're told you have a curse, a hex, a "blockage" or that a relative wished you harm, often tied to a worry you mentioned.
The cure. Removal requires money: candles, prayers, special oils, or bringing cash or jewellery to be "cleansed" and supposedly returned.
The escalation. The curse is stronger than expected. More rituals, bigger payments.
The isolation. You're told not to tell family or friends because it will "undo the work".

Red flags

Any claim that you're cursed and must pay to fix it.
Guarantees: a lover returning in days, winning the lottery, a cure for illness.
Pressure to decide or pay right now.
Requests to pay by gift card, wire transfer, crypto or cash in person.
Requests to move off a platform to "work privately".
Secrecy, or discouraging you from seeing doctors or talking to family.
Prices that only appear after the reading has started.

Green flags

A clear per-minute or session price shown before you start.
Openness about training, tradition and approach.
Humility: "this is what I'm sensing; you decide what it means for you."
Willingness to say "that's a question for a doctor, lawyer or financial adviser."
Verified reviews from real clients.
Payment through a reputable processor that allows disputes.
You leave calmer and clearer, not afraid.

Why intuition can feel convincing

Psychologists have shown how easy it is to feel "seen". In 1949, Bertram Forer gave students identical vague personality sketches and they rated them as highly accurate descriptions of themselves, now called the Forer or Barnum effect. Skilled "cold readers" combine general statements with close attention to your reactions. This doesn't mean every reader is dishonest; many are sincere. But it's a good reason never to pay more because someone "knew" something about you.

What the law says

In the U.S., deceptive practices can be reported to the FTC and your state attorney general. Some states go further: New York's Penal Law §165.35 makes fortune telling for money a misdemeanour unless it is offered for entertainment or amusement, which is why reputable services include an entertainment disclaimer. Card payments through reputable processors can be disputed with your bank if you were misled.

If you think you've been scammed

Stop paying. You don't owe anything to "complete" a ritual.
Write down names, dates, amounts and how you paid.
Contact your bank or card issuer about disputing charges.
Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to local police; for internet fraud, the FBI's IC3 (ic3.gov).
Talk to someone you trust. Embarrassment is what scammers rely on.

Psychics, shamans and choosing well

These protections apply to any reader, whether psychic, tarot reader, medium or shaman. On Shamans For Hire, our readers are shamans, not psychics: they offer guidance from a spiritual tradition rather than predictions. Prices are shown on every profile, a card hold caps every call, practitioners may not ask for off-platform payments, and every shaman agrees to our Ethics Policy, which bans fear-based selling and "curse removal" fees. Reviews come only from real paid callers. Learn more on Our Standards, read how to choose a genuine shaman, or compare psychic readings vs shaman readings.

Questions to ask before you book anyone

"What is the total cost, and how am I billed?"
"Where does your guidance come from, and how did you learn?"
"What kinds of questions can't you help with?"
"Will you ever recommend additional paid services? Which ones, and what do they cost?"
"Can I end the session at any time without penalty?"

A genuine reader answers easily and without irritation. Evasion, vagueness about money, or sudden talk of danger are all reasons to walk away.

Entertainment disclaimers are a good sign

You may notice that reputable reading services, including ours, describe readings as "for entertainment purposes". That isn't a dismissal of the work; it is an honest statement that no reader can guarantee outcomes, and in some places it's a legal requirement. Be more wary of a reader who refuses to include any disclaimer and insists their predictions are certain.

Helping a friend or relative

Many fortune-telling fraud cases come to light only when a family member notices large withdrawals or unusual secrecy. If you're worried about someone, approach them without judgement: shame keeps people paying. Ask what they were told and how much they've paid, help them contact their bank, and encourage a report. Older adults can also get help through the U.S. Department of Justice's National Elder Fraud Hotline (1-833-372-8311), and in a mental health crisis anyone in the US can call or text 988.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if a psychic is fake?

Warning signs include claims that you are cursed and must pay to fix it, guarantees, pressure, secrecy and requests for gift cards, wires or cash.

Is psychic curse removal a scam?

Charging money to remove a curse is the most common pattern in fortune-telling fraud cases reported by police and consumer agencies.

Where do I report a psychic scam?

In the US, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, your state attorney general and local police, and contact your bank about disputing charges.

Sources and further reading

Disclaimer: This article is for general information and spiritual interest. Readings and sessions on Shamans For Hire are spiritual guidance for reflection and entertainment purposes only, and are not a substitute for medical, psychological, legal or financial advice. 18+. In a crisis in the US, call or text 988. See our Entertainment Disclaimer and Our Standards.