A Word of Advice

30 August 2002

Is Your Future in the Stars?

No, it’s in your mailbox!

Look into our crystal ball…don't get caught by astrology and psychic scams. We forecast that you are very likely to be scammed in the future if you respond to any unsolicited mail from overseas that is advertising psychic, astrology or clairvoyance services.

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has heard about this type of mail from consumers who have been receiving them in their mailboxes. Here are some of the scams to look out for if you think you have received this type of mail.

There's Master Charli Chang and his amazing golden dragon egg, Maria Duval and her cardboard talisman.

Then there’s Liv Hansen the clairvoyant and medium. Liv asks you to not only send $30 to Switzerland but also your hair for "physical contact within the framework of the Psychic Concentration". This one is operating from Charli Chang's (Maja) address and is the newest psychic scam we have heard about.

How do you tell if you have received such an offer?

First, check out the Ministry of Consumer Affairs Scamwatch service on our website. We list all known astrology, psychic or clairvoyant type direct mail offers. If you don’t have access to the internet contact us for a Scamwatch list – phone 04 474 2750, fax 04 473 9400 or email mcainfo@mca.govt.nz

If it’s not listed in our astrology/psychic/clairvoyant section, look for these signs:

• Mail arrives unsolicited - you haven't requested the information but it appears to be personalised to you.
• It has been sent by bulk mail, so this makes the personalisation of the offer very unlikely.
• It makes unsubstantiated claims that you are about to come into a fortune…as long as you send money away to them.

At the Ministry of Consumer Affairs we also welcome new information about astrology, psychic or clairvoyance scams so we can keep Scamwatch up to date.

You can help keep New Zealanders informed by reporting scams through Scamwatch on our website at the address above.

Scamwatch also has information about other scams wishing to part you from your money including prize and lottery scams such as: ‘El Gordo Spanish Sweepstake Lottery’ and its variants; ‘Nigerian’ investment scams, also known as advanced fee fraud; work from home/own your own business scams and lots more.

Remember never send money or personal information to a company or person you do not know.

And if something sounds too good to be true? It usually is, and should be avoided at all costs!