Friday 13 August 2010

Inbaal and her "accurate" psychic chums


A lot of psychics try to trade on their celebrity connections, or even claim to be celebrities in their own right.



In the case of Inbaal (pictured above), the claim is arguably true. She has been on the telly quite a bit over the years, and she's a regular feature in all the superstition-promoting magazines I read.

Inbaal claims to be accurate - as do eight other psychics. Today I've contacted the ASA about all of them. Let's see if any of the claims they make are actually true!

I've grouped the nine complaints here, in a single blogpost, so they don't clutter up the sidebar. The complaints are mostly similar, so you might not need to read them all.

Inbaal (advert)

"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "High Spirit" magazine (August issue, p77).

The advert, for "Inbaal", promotes a psychic reading service available face-to-face, on the telephone or by SMS.

I suspect that the advert may be in breach of three sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.

1. The advert contains the text:

"INBAAL - Celebrity Psychic - Inbaal has proved the accuracy of her readings many times on TV, Radio and magazines, (including this one [High Spirit Magazine] !)..."

2. The ASA Council has recently ruled (complaint ref. 122556 and 122562) against adverts for psychics whose readings are claimed to be "accurate".

3. Under Section 3.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that "Inbaal"'s psychic readings are accurate.

4. (i) "Inbaal"'s website, www.inbaal.com, gives a complete list of her appearances on TV, radio and in print.

(ii) I have not been able to find any demonstrations, on her site or elsewhere, of "Inbaal"'s psychic abilities which have taken place in controlled, laboratory conditions in which all potential sources of bias, either deliberate or unintentional, have been removed.

5. Therefore, under Section 3.1, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that "Inbaal"'s "accuracy" has been "proved...many times on TV, Radio and magazines"

6. Given that most consumers - very few of whom are trained magicians - are generally ignorant of the controlled experimental conditions required to prove a psychic ability:

(i) Under Section 7.1, I challenge whether the claim is misleading

(ii) Under Section 6.1, I challenge whether the claim "exploit[s] the credulity, lack of knowledge or inexperience of consumers"

7. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or the magazine. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine."

Alison's Straight Talk Psychic Services (advert)

"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "Soul and Spirit" magazine (Issue 31, Aug 2010, p91).

The advert, for "Alison's Straight Talk Psychic Services", promotes a telephone psychic reading service.

I suspect that the advert may be in breach of one section of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.

1. The advert contains the text:

"Honest, direct, no nonsense readings. 30 years experience. Complete confidentiality. Excellent accuracy."

2. The ASA Council has recently ruled (complaint ref. 122556 and 122562) against adverts for psychics whose readings are claimed to be "accurate".

3. Under Section 3.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that the psychic readings provided by the service have "excellent accuracy".

4. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or the magazine. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine."

Angel Wishing Moon (advert)

"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "Soul and Spirit" magazine (Issue 31, Aug 2010, p90).

The advert, for Angel Wishing Moon Psychics, promotes a telephone psychic reading service.

I suspect that the advert may be in breach of one section of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.

1. The advert contains the text:

"Phenomenally Accurate Clairvoyant Psychics blessed with the gift, guided by spirit and dedicated to helping you with a true psychic reading."

2. The ASA Council has recently ruled (complaint ref. 122556 and 122562) against adverts for psychics whose readings are claimed to be "accurate".

3. Under Section 3.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that the psychics and clairvoyants employed by the service are "phenomenally accurate".

4. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or the magazine. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine."

"Crystal" (advert)

"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "High Spirit" magazine (August issue, p80).

The advert, for "Crystal", promotes a telephone psychic reading service.

I suspect that the advert may be in breach of two sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.

1. The advert contains the text:

"Crystal Genuine International Clairvoyant Medium. I work with Angels, Extremely accurate and in detail...Free healing with every reading...Absent healing available..."

2. The ASA Council has recently ruled (complaint ref. 122556 and 122562) against adverts for psychics whose readings are claimed to be "accurate".

3. Under Section 3.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that the psychic readings provided by the service are "Extremely accurate".

4. Under Sections 3.1 and 50.1, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate any of the following claims:

(i) "Crystal" can provide a "healing with every reading" over the telephone
(ii) "Crystal" can provide "Absent healing" over the telephone

5. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or the magazine. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine."

Gifted Psychics London (advert)

"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "Soul and Spirit" magazine (Isuee 31, Aug 2010, p91).

The advert, for Gifted Psychics London, promotes a telephone psychic reading service.

I suspect that the advert may be in breach of one section of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.

1. The advert contains the text:

"GIFTED PSYCHICS...We specialise in providing the best psychic service to our clients. Call now for your helpful and accurate psychic reading."

2. The ASA Council has recently ruled (complaint ref. 122556 and 122562) against adverts for psychics whose readings are claimed to be "accurate".

3. Under Section 3.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that the service provides "accurate psychic readings".

4. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or the magazine. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine."

Jessica Griffiths (advert)

"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "High Spirit" magazine (August issue, p80).

The advert, for Jessica Griffiths/"Jessica's Psychic World", promotes a telephone psychic reading service.

I suspect that the advert may be in breach of two sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.

1. The advert contains the text:

"Jessica's Psychic World - International Psychic Medium Clairvoyant Councillor [sic]...LOVE RELATIONSHIPS - PSYCHIC WISDOM - TO MANY CELEBRITIES - Amazingly Accuate - From £29 for 20 mins..."

2. The ASA Council has recently ruled (complaint ref. 122556 and 122562) against adverts for psychics whose readings are claimed to be "accurate".

3. Under Section 3.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that the service's psychic readings are "Amazingly Accurate".

4. (i) I have searched for evidence that the psychic featured in the advert, "Jessica", has worked with celebrities. I have found no reports suggesting it might be true (there are, for example, no mentions of the word "celebrities", or any named celebrities, on the service's website.)

(ii) Therefore, under Section 3.1, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that "Jessica" has given readings "TO MANY CELEBRITIES", and under Section 7.1 I challenge whether the phrase "PSYCHIC WISDOM TO MANY CELEBRITIES" is misleading.

5. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or the magazine. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine."

Kim Arnold (advert)

"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "Soul and Spirit" magazine (Issue 31, Aug 2010, p93).

The advert, for Pronto/Kim Arnold, promotes a telephone psychic reading service.

I suspect that the advert may be in breach of one section of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.

1. The advert contains the text:

"KIM ARNOLD'S ORACLE LINE... Kim Arnold - renowned Tarot expert and founder of the annual UK tarot Conference has launched the Oracle Line to give the best in accurate psychic readings using some of the best psychics around..."

2. The ASA Council has recently ruled (complaint ref. 122556 and 122562) against adverts for psychics whose readings are claimed to be "accurate".

3. Under Section 3.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that the service provides "accurate psychic readings".

4. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or the magazine. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine."

psychicrealm.co.uk (advert)

"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "Soul and Spirit" magazine (Issue 31, Aug 2010, p94).

The advert, for PsychicRealm.co.uk, promotes a telephone psychic reading service.

I suspect that the advert may be in breach of three sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.

1. The advert contains a testimonial, in quotes, as follows:

"Her team of readers are astonishingly accurate - they all give such specific information, i [sic] feel they know me better than I know myself! I'm delighted at what can be achieved"

2. The ASA Council has recently ruled (complaint ref. 122556 and 122562) against adverts for psychics whose readings are claimed to be "accurate".

3. Under Section 14.3 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate the testimonial claim that the psychic readings provided by the service are "astonishingly accurate".

4. Under Section 14.1, I challenge whether the advertisers hold signed and dated proof, including a contact address, for the testimonial.

5. Under Section 14.4, I challenge whether the testimonial is fictional, "presented as though [it is] genuine".

6. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or the magazine. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine."

Psychic Sense (advert)

"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "Soul and Spirit" magazine (Issue 31, Aug 2010, p95).

The advert, for PsychicSense, promotes a telephone psychic reading service.

I suspect that the advert may be in breach of one section of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.

1. The advert contains a testimonial claim, in quotes, as follows:

' "A lovely, very fluent, very supportive, and very accurate reader. 10/10"* Heather (Scotland), September 2009'

2. (i) The asterisk refers to more text at the bottom of the advert, which reads

"*See the full testimonial at psychicsense.org"

(ii) In fact, the testimonial available on the advertiser's website is identical to the one in the advert; the text seems to mean "See the full [list of] testimonial[s] at psychicsense.org"

3. The ASA Council has recently ruled (complaint ref. 122556 and 122562) against adverts for psychics whose readings are claimed to be "accurate".

4. Under Section 14.3 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate the testimonial claim that at least one of the readers employed by the service is a "very accurate reader".

5. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or the magazine. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine."

15 comments:

  1. MY GOD GET A LIFE litigious unusually NARROW MINDED

    ReplyDelete
  2. Get a life, you low down, sanctimonious, ignorant, pointless and pathetic human being. Instead of challenging these idea's and beliefs from a distance like the sniveling coward you are, why not actually test out the accuracy for yourself?

    It sickens me when people of no intelligence or proven credibly try to hop onto their fictitious high horse.

    Have you considered getting a job so that you have less free time on your hands? I have to admit, the litigious joke was quite funny, so maybe a job writing christmas cracker jokes will be more up your street and a better outlet for your literary trash.

    GCB

    ps have you read the details above about not allowing defamatory content in your comments, will if YOU can do it, why can't we?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi G Burns,

    >Instead of challenging these idea's and beliefs
    >from a distance like the sniveling coward you
    >are, why not actually test out the accuracy for
    >yourself?

    Good question! Problem is, though, very few psychics are willing to undergo a formal test of their abilities, under controlled conditions.

    If any of the above-named people are, in fact, willing, I'd be very happy to help them prepare their application for JREF's Million Dollar Challenge.

    >ps have you read the details above about not
    >allowing defamatory content in your comments,
    >will if YOU can do it, why can't we?

    Another good question! But, I'm confused. Can you identify which part of the blogpost is defamatory?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your whole article is defamatory, as you are implying that these psychics are not accurate. They make their living off helping people in this way, maybe pay mortgages, possibly even supporting a family. The actions that you bring forward, off your own back for some unfathomable reason, can damage their careers.


    Why always look at things with a negative light. Are we not still innocent till proven guilty. With many years of positive reviews, live and recorded TV appearances, surely it is fair to believe that these are good psychics? I challenge you to PROVE that these Psychics are NOT accurate.

    Have you thought that instead of being a spiteful snitch, maybe instead you could write to the psychics in question and state your concern? If you're worried that these hard working people maybe miss representing them selves and using keywords in their advertising which may or may-not be deemed inappropriate. Maybe you could be like them, a guiding light, albeit for people with advertising queries, and inform them that there are better ways to say these things.

    Maybe if you turned your blind hatred for all things spiritual into acceptance and opened your mind to the fact that there is more to life than laboratory testing, you may be able to see that these people are trying to help.

    A lot of the time, controlled conditions are not the environment for these people to work at their best.

    How about if you write reviews, comments and complaints about the things you can prove. And the things that your slide-rules, protractors and white lab-coats cannot measure, maybe you should just leave them to people who can.

    Gordon Burns

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Gordon,

    Could you describe an experimental protocol that would allow me to "PROVE that these Psychics are NOT accurate" ?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Gordon:

    It's only defamatory if it's untrue. Since it's true it's not defamatory. If they truly had psychic powers, they could earn an income by winning Randi's Million Dollar Challenge. They won't even try, because they don't genuinely have psychic powers. It's called cold reading. Look it up.

    Mike

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yet you don't answer the important questions. Interesting.

    Please put away your ruler and have a reading with an open mind and see if they are accurate. Simples.

    Just remember that minds are like parachutes.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Gordon Burns:

    I don't have a ruler.

    The burden is on those who claim psychic powers to prove that their claims are true. If they fail to do so, they are guilty of misleading advertising.

    Cold reading is a technique that people who acknowledge they don't have psychic powers, and the conversation and result are the same as alleged psychic readings.

    If these so-called psychics truly do have the psychic powers they claim they have, why don't they take Randi's Million Dollar Challenge and earn a million dollars and PROVE to the world that they have psychic powers? That's the most important question.

    Mike

    ReplyDelete
  9. @ Sceptical Letter Writer

    The nature of psychic ability cannot be defined by materialistic scrutiny otherwise we would know who and what God is.

    Organised religions have made a fortune out of controlling the masses with unproven idealism.

    The pope is regarded as God's representative here on Earth, what proof exists for that?

    It is easy to criticize when you have a distance from your own spirituality and are unable to connect with your higher self.

    If you want to batter a section of society which helps a lot of people you need to have something with which to use first.

    Were you there helping to exterminate the Cathars?

    Try meditating occasionally and stop attacking people who do help.

    SVH

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi, SVH! Thanks for stopping by.

    > The nature of psychic ability cannot be defined by materialistic scrutiny...

    Oh, but it can! A number of experimental protocols that reliably test psychic abilities are available to us. Any of the psychics named above could successfully defend themselves simply by passing such a test.

    ReplyDelete
  11. How very petty of you, major media journalists have set out many times and failed with such intentions as yours. Psychic gifts cannot be tested and of course accuracy is determined only by the person receiving the reading. Of course you can pass it all off as cold reading but obviously you have never seen a true psychic at work. Such psychic tests you mention do not prove psychic ability. For mediums messages are passed over from the other side there is no test for that! I pity you if your life is so empty that all you can do it pick vendettas against people.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Anonymous,

    You're right. I have never seen a "true psychic at work", but I would dearly love to. Can you direct me to one?

    ReplyDelete
  13. I think the sceptic wins. ... and unlike Gordon Burns he did so without resorting to personal abuse! Bravo!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi i work as a psychic and have days i dont work if i feel i cant connect to pick up so therefore may have few days with no income at all as very low self employed earner.I dont understand the testing your talking about but have you been in the spiritualists churches. Ive done them for free and do charity evenings expenses only taken.
    Often given £100 to charity why should people not have help if needed gifts are given to us to develop to help others in life. I work with or without tools and have all skills but come without ego driven nature calling others only gains you disrespect the proof of accuracy is that client should be able to take info without reader asking anything except name DOB for we need link to their energy you maybe would like to put your real name here to show who you are thats harbouring jealousy

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Angel,

    Can't you see my name at the top of the page?

    ReplyDelete

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