894: Psychics and Tarot Cards | Skeptical Sunday

Emotional Manipulation

Psychics often exploit people's emotions, especially during times of grief or crisis. David C. Smalley explains how psychics use emotional manipulation to defraud vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly or those who have recently lost loved ones 1. He shares a disturbing example of a psychic who convinced a grieving mother that her daughter had been shot, despite evidence to the contrary 2.

It's one of the cringiest moments ever. She also famously told a woman that her daughter had been shot. And the mother responded, no, she just collapsed in her room.

--- David C. Smalley

Jordan Harbinger adds that these scams are particularly aggravating because they prey on those who are most vulnerable.

   

Financial Impact

The financial harm caused by psychics can be devastating. David C. Smalley recounts a case where a man lost $9,000 to a psychic who claimed he had a curse that needed immediate removal 3. Despite his attempts to recover the money, the police refused to pursue the matter because he had willingly handed it over.

He got the money together. And then it says that his repeated attempts to get the money back from the psychic have not yielded a dime.

--- David C. Smalley

Jordan Harbinger highlights that these scams often target the most vulnerable, including the elderly and those experiencing recent tragedies 1.

   

Notable Fraud Cases

Famous instances of psychic fraud reveal the extent of their deception. David C. Smalley discusses Sylvia Brown, who falsely told a woman that her missing boyfriend was in water, only to be proven wrong when it was revealed he was a firefighter lost during 9/11 4. Jordan Harbinger shares his enjoyment of watching psychics get exposed on live TV, recounting a psychic who incorrectly claimed a young girl had been beaten and killed, only to be confronted by the grown woman in the interview 5.

The psychic had no idea that the photo was just a school picture of the grown woman who was interviewing her.

--- David C. Smalley

These cases highlight the emotional and psychological damage caused by fraudulent psychics.