Being scammed by a psychic can feel devastating—not just financially, but emotionally. You trusted someone during a vulnerable time, and that trust was exploited. But you're not powerless, and you're not alone.
Thousands of people fall victim to psychic scams every year, losing anywhere from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars. The good news is that there are concrete steps you can take to report these scams, recover your money, and prevent others from being victimized.
Act Quickly
Time is critical when dealing with financial fraud. The sooner you report and dispute charges, the better your chances of recovering your money. Start taking action within 24-48 hours of recognizing you've been scammed.
Step 1: Document Everything
Before you report anything, you need to gather comprehensive documentation of the scam. This evidence will be crucial for all your reports and disputes.
Financial Records
- Credit card statements showing all charges
- Bank statements if you used debit cards or direct payments
- PayPal, Venmo, or other digital payment records
- Wire transfer receipts
- Gift card receipts if you were asked to pay this way
Communication Records
- Email exchanges with the psychic
- Text messages or WhatsApp conversations
- Social media messages
- Voicemails or recordings of phone conversations (if legal in your state)
- Chat logs from psychic platforms
Marketing Materials
- Screenshots of websites or advertisements
- Social media posts or profiles
- Email marketing materials you received
- Photos of business cards or flyers
Timeline Documentation
- Dates and times of all interactions
- What promises were made and when
- When payments were requested and made
- When you realized it was a scam
Documentation Tips
- Screenshot everything before it disappears—scammers often delete evidence quickly
- Write down details while they're fresh in your memory
- Save all documentation in multiple places (cloud, physical copies)
- Don't confront the scammer yet—this may cause them to destroy evidence
Step 2: Stop Further Financial Damage
Cancel Recurring Charges
If you signed up for subscription services or automatic billing, contact your bank or credit card company immediately to stop future charges. Many psychic scams involve ongoing billing that's difficult to cancel.
Change Payment Information
If you provided credit card numbers, bank account information, or other financial details, consider canceling those cards or accounts. Scammers often share or sell victim information.
Monitor Your Accounts
Check all your financial accounts daily for unexpected charges. Scammers sometimes test smaller amounts before making larger fraudulent purchases.
Alert Your Bank
Notify your bank or credit card company about the fraud immediately, even before filing formal disputes. They can flag your account for suspicious activity.
Step 3: File Official Reports
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
FTC Consumer Sentinel
How to report: File online at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or call 1-877-FTC-HELP
What they do: Investigate patterns of fraud, share information with law enforcement, provide resources for victims
What to expect: You'll receive a complaint ID number for your records. They may not investigate individual cases but use reports to identify larger patterns.
State Attorney General
Your State's Consumer Protection Office
How to find: Search "[your state] attorney general consumer complaints" or visit NAAG.org for contact information
What they do: Investigate consumer fraud, take legal action against scammers, mediate disputes
What to expect: Some states actively investigate psychic fraud, especially if multiple complaints are filed against the same operation.
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
FBI's IC3
How to report: File online at ic3.gov
When to use: If the scam involved internet or email communication, or if losses exceed $5,000
What they do: Forward complaints to appropriate law enforcement agencies for investigation
Local Law Enforcement
Police Department
When to report: If you met the scammer in person, if the operation is local, or if losses are substantial
What to bring: All your documentation and a written summary of what happened
What to expect: They may take a report for record-keeping, though investigation depends on the amount lost and local resources.
Important Note
Filing these reports creates an official record of the fraud and helps authorities track patterns, even if individual cases aren't immediately investigated. Your report could be the one that triggers action against a large scam operation.
Step 4: Dispute Charges with Financial Institutions
Credit Card Disputes
Credit cards offer the strongest consumer protection for fraud victims:
Contact Your Credit Card Company
Timeline: You have 60 days from the statement date to dispute charges
Process: Call the customer service number on your card and ask for the disputes or fraud department
What to say: "I need to dispute fraudulent charges from a psychic scam"
Provide Documentation
Submit all your evidence showing the charges were fraudulent. Focus on:
- Services promised versus services received
- Deceptive marketing or false claims
- Unauthorized charges after cancellation attempts
- Evidence of the scammer's fraudulent practices
Follow Up in Writing
Send a certified letter to your credit card company within 7 days of your phone call, including all documentation and referencing your dispute case number.
Bank Account Disputes
If you paid via debit card, ACH transfer, or wire transfer:
- Debit card fraud: You have 60 days to report, but stronger protections exist if reported within 2 days
- ACH transfers: You have 60 days from the statement date to dispute unauthorized transfers
- Wire transfers: Most difficult to recover, but report immediately and provide evidence of fraud
Digital Payment Disputes
PayPal, Venmo, and Other Services
File disputes through their resolution centers, but understand that these services have varying levels of fraud protection. PayPal generally offers better protection than Venmo or Cash App.
Step 5: Report to Platforms and Services
Psychic Platform Reports
If the scammer operated through a platform like Keen, Kasamba, or Purple Garden:
- Report the practitioner through the platform's complaint system
- Request refunds through platform customer service
- Leave detailed reviews warning other users
- Contact platform fraud departments with your evidence
Social Media and Website Reports
- Facebook/Instagram: Report fraudulent business pages and ads
- Google: Report fake business listings and request removal of scam websites
- Website hosts: Contact hosting companies to report fraudulent websites
Report to PsychicReview.org
Help us protect other consumers by sharing your experience with our team. We collect and document scam reports to:
- Create a database of known scammers and their tactics
- Help organize information for law enforcement investigations
- Provide support and guidance for next steps in your case
- Connect you with other victims who may be taking collective action
- Publish warnings to prevent others from being victimized
Email us: reports@psychicreview.org with your documentation and story. We'll help you organize your case and may be able to connect you with resources specific to your situation.
Step 6: Seek Additional Help
Legal Resources
Consumer Protection Attorneys
When to consider: If losses exceed $10,000 or if you find other victims of the same scammer
How to find: Contact your state bar association for referrals to consumer protection specialists
Cost considerations: Many work on contingency (no fee unless you win) for larger cases
Legal Aid Services
For low-income victims: Free legal assistance may be available through local legal aid organizations
How to find: Visit LawHelp.org or contact your local courthouse for referrals
Victim Support Services
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Services: File complaints, mediate disputes, warn other consumers
How to use: File reports at BBB.org even if the business isn't accredited
AARP Fraud Watch
For older adults: Specialized support for seniors who've been scammed
Helpline: 1-877-908-3360
What to Expect During the Process
Timeline for Resolution
- Credit card disputes: 30-90 days for investigation and resolution
- Bank disputes: 10-45 days depending on the type of transaction
- Law enforcement: Weeks to years, depending on the case complexity
- Civil legal action: Months to years, depending on the case
Realistic Expectations
Recovery Success Rates by Payment Method:
Highest success rate:
- Credit card disputes (70-90% success rate)
- PayPal disputes (60-80% success rate)
Moderate success rate:
- Debit card disputes (40-70% success rate)
- Bank ACH disputes (30-60% success rate)
Lower success rate:
- Wire transfers (10-30% success rate)
- Cash payments (recovery extremely difficult)
- Gift cards (recovery nearly impossible)
- Cryptocurrency (recovery very rare)
Preventing Future Victimization
Protecting Yourself Going Forward
Prevention Checklist:
- Never pay for spiritual services with wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency
- Research practitioners thoroughly before booking sessions
- Be suspicious of urgent requests for money or services
- Trust your instincts if something feels wrong
- Set spending limits for spiritual services and stick to them
- Don't provide financial information beyond what's needed for payment
- Be wary of practitioners who contact you first through social media or email
Warning Signs of New Scams
Scammers often target previous victims, knowing they may be vulnerable. Be alert for:
- Contact from "recovery services" claiming they can get your money back for a fee
- New psychics claiming to have information about your previous scammer
- Lawyers or investigators requesting upfront fees to pursue your case
- Anyone asking for additional personal or financial information related to your case
Recovery Scam Alert
Beware of "recovery services" that contact you claiming they can get your money back from psychic scams. These are often secondary scams targeting fraud victims. Legitimate recovery assistance shouldn't require upfront fees.
Supporting Others and Creating Change
Help Other Victims
Your experience can help protect others:
- Share your story on consumer protection websites and forums
- Leave detailed reviews on platforms where the scammer operated
- Report scammer information to anti-fraud databases
- Support friends and family who may be vulnerable to similar scams
Advocate for Better Protection
Consider advocating for stronger consumer protections:
- Contact legislators about strengthening anti-fraud laws
- Support organizations working on consumer protection
- Participate in class action lawsuits against large scam operations
- Share your story with media to raise awareness
Emotional Recovery
Financial recovery is important, but don't neglect your emotional healing:
- Don't blame yourself: Scammers are skilled manipulators who exploit trust
- Seek support: Talk to friends, family, or counselors about your experience
- Focus on empowerment: Taking action against the scammer helps you regain control
- Learn and move forward: Use this experience to become a more informed consumer
Remember that being scammed doesn't reflect poorly on your intelligence or judgment. These operations are sophisticated and deliberately target people during vulnerable times.
Take Action Today
Don't let scammers get away with fraud. Every report and dispute makes it harder for them to victimize others. Start with documenting your case, then work through the reporting and recovery process systematically. You have more power than you realize to fight back and protect others.