As a psychic medium who’s proud of her work, I get disgusted and angry whenever I hear about phony clairvoyants whose only aim is to hoodwink people out of their money or, worse, their sense of power. I hope you never fall prey into a spider web cast by a devious intuitive. And to make sure you don’t, here’s how to spot a psychic scam artist.

1. The scammer says you’re cursed, and only they can remove this curse.

There is no such thing as a curse. No one can give you the evil eye unless you believe it. And when you believe someone has the power to make bad things happen to you, your belief system turns your fears into reality. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, "No one can make you feel bad without your permission."

2. The scammer wants a ridiculous amount of money for a session.

Many psychics base their rates on their notoriety. Expect to pay The Long Island Medium or John Edward several hundred dollars for a session. Don’t pay that kind of money to an unknown psychic with a neon crystal ball in the storefront window.

3.The scammer says you need more sessions with them to clear away your problem.

Bogus mystics often offer a free first reading, or charge just $20 to lure you in. But then they’ll tell you you’re cursed and need to come back again – and again – at $100 a pop.

4.The scammer says you need to give them your money "to clean."

Don’t laugh. I’ve heard stories from doctors and lawyers who have handed over tens of thousands of dollars because they were told their money was cursed and unclean. And once that happened, their money was gone with the wind.

5.The scammer says you must buy their "mystical trinkets."

I’ve given readings and suggested to clients they might want to carry a certain stone on their person to help ground them. I’ve also suggested books for clients to read, like Louise Hay’s You Can Heal Your Life. But there’s a world of difference between a $5 stone (I don’t carry anything for sale in my office) or a book that you can also get out of a library, and $150 candles scammers sell that, after burning, will "clear away negative energy." Believe me, you feel plenty positive after burning a $2.50 vanilla-scented votive available just about anywhere.

6.The scammer tells you that you have no power.

You are the most powerful person you know. Why? Because you have the strength to say "No!" Never give your power away to anyone – especially someone masquerading as a psychic.

A psychic is supposed to advise, not give you a lucky spell to fix your life or make doom-and-gloom pronouncements. People who want their problems to be magically fixed are in danger of becoming victims – because they give away their hope and power. Believe me, working to improve your life is just that – work. Lucky Charms should only be for breakfast.