Last month, we received an email from Sarah in Phoenix who lost over $3,000 to someone claiming they could "remove negative energy" from her home for a fee. Her story isn't unique—according to the Federal Trade Commission, spiritual and psychic scams cost Americans over $40 million annually.
The heartbreaking part? Legitimate psychics, tarot readers, and spiritual advisors get lumped in with these predators, making it harder for people who genuinely need guidance to find trustworthy practitioners.
⚠️ Important Reminder
Real psychic guidance can be incredibly valuable for clarity, healing, and personal growth. The goal isn't to avoid psychics entirely—it's to avoid the ones who prey on vulnerability.
Here are the five biggest red flags that signal you're dealing with a scammer, not a genuine spiritual advisor.
Red Flag #1: They Claim You're "Cursed" or Under Attack
🚩 What to Watch For
Fake psychics often use fear-based tactics, claiming you have a "curse," "negative attachment," or "spiritual block" that only they can remove—for an additional fee, of course.
Legitimate spiritual advisors focus on empowerment and guidance, not fear. They might sense challenging energy or difficult patterns, but they'll help you work through these issues with practical advice and spiritual tools you can use yourself.
Real example: A genuine psychic might say, "I sense you're carrying some heavy emotional energy from a past relationship. Let's explore some ways to release that and move forward." A scammer says, "There's a dark curse on your love life. I can remove it for $500."
Red Flag #2: They Demand Money Upfront for "Materials" or "Rituals"
🚩 What to Watch For
Requests for payment for candles, crystals, herbs, or other "special materials" needed to help you. These costs often escalate quickly and come with promises that the materials must be "blessed" or "charged" by the psychic.
Authentic practitioners charge for their time and energy, not for physical items. If they recommend crystals or other tools, they'll suggest you purchase them yourself from any metaphysical shop or online retailer.
Red Flag #3: They Make Unrealistic Promises
🚩 What to Watch For
Guarantees that your ex will return in 24 hours, promises to make someone fall in love with you, or claims they can predict lottery numbers or specific financial windfalls.
Genuine psychics understand that free will exists and that the future isn't set in stone. They offer insight and guidance about possible outcomes, but they don't promise to control other people or guarantee specific results.
Instead of promising your ex will text you tomorrow, a real psychic might say, "I see potential for reconciliation, but it will require honest communication and personal growth from both of you."
Red Flag #4: They Push for Immediate Payment or Multiple Sessions
🚩 What to Watch For
High-pressure sales tactics, claims that you "must act now" or the reading won't work, or immediate upselling to expensive package deals before you've even experienced their service.
Legitimate psychics understand that spiritual work takes time and that trust must be built. They're comfortable with you booking one session at a time and won't pressure you into commitments you're not ready for.
Many authentic practitioners actually prefer new clients to start with a single session to see if their style and approach resonate before committing to additional work.
Red Flag #5: They Have No Verifiable Background or Reviews
🚩 What to Watch For
No client testimonials, suspicious or generic reviews, recently created social media profiles with no history, or reluctance to share information about their experience and training.
While genuine psychics value client privacy, most established practitioners have some form of verifiable track record. This might include:
- Authentic client testimonials (even if names are kept private)
- Social media presence showing their work over time
- Training or certifications in their area of specialty
- Clear policies about their services and pricing
- Willingness to answer questions about their approach
What Legitimate Psychics Actually Do
So what should you expect from a genuine spiritual advisor?
✅ Signs of Authenticity
Empowerment over dependency: They help you trust your own intuition and make your own decisions.
Realistic guidance: They acknowledge uncertainty and respect free will.
Clear boundaries: They have transparent pricing and don't push additional services.
Professional ethics: They maintain confidentiality and won't ask invasive personal questions unrelated to your reading.
Real psychics want to help you gain clarity and confidence in your own life path. They're teachers and guides, not controllers or fear-mongers.
Trust Your Instincts
Perhaps the most important advice we can give is this: trust your gut. If something feels off, manipulative, or too good to be true, it probably is.
You deserve authentic guidance from practitioners who respect your intelligence, your autonomy, and your financial boundaries. Don't settle for anything less.
Been Scammed? You're Not Alone
If you've been taken advantage of by a fake psychic, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps protect others and may help you recover your money.
Finding Trustworthy Guidance
At PsychicReview.org, we're working to solve this problem by independently verifying spiritual practitioners and highlighting those who maintain ethical practices and genuine client care.
Because everyone deserves access to authentic spiritual guidance without the fear of being exploited.