In this second part of the Psychic Readers Network series we go deep into how the Federal Trade Commission addressed these phone frauds with an expert guest who joins the show to detail PRN’s false advertising and abusive marketing practices. We also invited a retired phone actor who wanted to be a phone psychic as a summer job in 2001. He actually wrote an article for the New York Times about it. He shares everything about the wonderful work environment and why it’s almost like being a cheap therapist. Why did people call in? What is behind the power of attraction behind charming characters like Miss Cleo? Listen and find out, we promise we won’t charge you a single penny (for the first three minutes).
TIMESTAMPS
(0:47) - Miss Cleo’s case recap: The right to work in the spirit-psychic world and lie to yourself ad-nauseam.
(8:40) - The FTC’s verdict: PRN abusive marketing techniques and how the State manages expenses and penalties
(16:03) - What was it like to be a psychic for the PRN? A retired phone psychic’s testimony of how easy it is to get in this world.
(25:04) - A long time before the first call: How a day in the office for a new phone physic looks like.
(32:44) - Fake voices, made-up personas, the moral consequences of making harm and how to actually make money out of this hoax.
(42:17) - Why did people call in? What is behind the power of attraction behind charming characters like Miss Cleo?
(49:00) - Episode conclusions: Ms. Santa’s Hotline, classic psychic tricks and final Miss Cleo clips on broke callers and legal implications.
RESOURCES
I Was a Hotline Psychic for Miss Cleo (read)
Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Fraudsters ad-free.
Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!