Is an online psychic or tarot reading subscription a scam?
Many online psychic platforms exploit vulnerable people with vague 'personalised' readings, subscription traps, and escalating offers that extract large amounts of money over time.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Psychic and clairvoyant fraud online can range from clearly entertainment-labelled services to deeply manipulative operations that target lonely, grieving, or anxious people. Common patterns include: a free initial reading that leads to a paid subscription; 'personalised' messages that are clearly templated; escalating urgent warnings ('you are under a curse that only I can remove') that drive repeated payments; and 'limited time' prophecy offers. The most harmful versions extract thousands of dollars from people in emotional distress. Genuine entertainment-labelled tarot and astrology platforms exist, but any service that creates dependency, fear, or urgency to pay more should be treated with serious caution. Charities and consumer protection bodies in many countries offer specific guidance for this fraud type.
Common red flags
- Reading warns of a curse, bad luck, or danger that only they can address for a fee
- Messages feel templated and not genuinely personalised
- Urgent time-limited offers: 'this window closes in 24 hours'
- Difficulty cancelling a subscription or escalating upgrade offers
What to do now
- Cancel any subscription immediately through your payment provider if needed
- Do not respond to further messages or pay for escalating offers
- Contact your bank if payments are difficult to cancel
- Report exploitative services to your national consumer protection authority
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to charge for psychic readings?
In most countries, charging for entertainment-labelled psychic readings is legal. What is illegal is fraudulent misrepresentation — claiming genuine predictive powers to extract money — but enforcement varies.