Fraud and Death in the Paranormal Field
While I prefer to simply help people, I understand that public education is an inherent tool to helping people understanding how we help. It is also important for the public to understand how not not be fooled by those just our to make a quick buck, fraudulently. I like to teach by example. While I don't judge a medium or psychic that takes money for service rendered (it's not my place). I do wish there were some sort of guidelines in place that addressed fraudulent activity that has come to run rampant across the country in this hard economy. Also, while psychics are an easy target, I do not believe they are by far the worst offenders.
Just like in the early EMS (Emergency Medical System) days of the 1970's, there are NO regulations for the paranormal community as a whole that has now become an industry of it's own. Example: and yes, this is true, ambulances originally carried bodies to the morgue or patients to the hospital. The "ambulances" were paid more money to bring a body to the morgue than a live person to the hospital. Some companies brought more to the morgue than the hospital that could have survived. It took over 25 years for regulations to establish this fact and correct this atrocity. Not all was because of deviancy, but simple lack of training. I was a paramedic for 10 years and those in the field, this is fact not fiction. It was a living horror movie not yet made to date. There was a comedy made in the 1980's called "Mother, Jugs, and Speed". Believe it or not - this was how it really was in some ambulance companys! If you know this movie, it is NO different for the paranormal world today.
There is fraud ongoing on an international level, but is not life and death. I fear because of that, it will be far longer than 25 years before there are some guidelines for the everyday paranormal investigator. The deaths will stack up from people trespassing and perishing on unsanctioned investigations. Since tragedy drives legislation, more will need to perish this way before central guidelines are established and recognized.
Sadly, it is the deviant individual that prey's on a scared family in crisis or need. Or the prepetrator will seek out an elderly person grieving the lose of a loved one. These people may eve form "teams" that can consist of one, two, or more people that may or may not be real. Meantime, hardworking teams/individuals that are there to never take money are grouped into the same category. Some of these people may charge for their professional service as this is how they make their living AND have years of experience to offer for that service. Hence why I do NOT judge a single person. Each person taking money knows why you accept that money and under what pretense it is handed over. The paranormal field is deeply entrenched in psychology. This is a great thing and at other times a deadly thing for the victims.
Case and point: If you are looking for paranormal help, I BEG of you to research the people you are asking to help you. These are strangers in your home and life. Just like you trust a doctor with private information, you need to feel comfortable with them. If you do not - no matter the team - find one that is a right "fit" for you. Ask questions to the people you meet. Find out about their day jobs. Observe their eye contact and body language. Get copies of anything you sign, or did they even ask you to sign anything? Think in legal terms when confidentiality like when you visit a hospital or any professional (whom would you give personal information to).
Perhaps the team is new and teams are limited in your area? Maybe you know some legalities they may need and don't do - then offer to help. Watch for the response. That response will tell you volumes. Also, just because they are new, doesn't mean they can't help, either. They may not have the years of experience to draw from, but enthusiasm and a listening ear will go miles if they are ethical!
Best of luck to you all!
Just like in the early EMS (Emergency Medical System) days of the 1970's, there are NO regulations for the paranormal community as a whole that has now become an industry of it's own. Example: and yes, this is true, ambulances originally carried bodies to the morgue or patients to the hospital. The "ambulances" were paid more money to bring a body to the morgue than a live person to the hospital. Some companies brought more to the morgue than the hospital that could have survived. It took over 25 years for regulations to establish this fact and correct this atrocity. Not all was because of deviancy, but simple lack of training. I was a paramedic for 10 years and those in the field, this is fact not fiction. It was a living horror movie not yet made to date. There was a comedy made in the 1980's called "Mother, Jugs, and Speed". Believe it or not - this was how it really was in some ambulance companys! If you know this movie, it is NO different for the paranormal world today.
There is fraud ongoing on an international level, but is not life and death. I fear because of that, it will be far longer than 25 years before there are some guidelines for the everyday paranormal investigator. The deaths will stack up from people trespassing and perishing on unsanctioned investigations. Since tragedy drives legislation, more will need to perish this way before central guidelines are established and recognized.
Sadly, it is the deviant individual that prey's on a scared family in crisis or need. Or the prepetrator will seek out an elderly person grieving the lose of a loved one. These people may eve form "teams" that can consist of one, two, or more people that may or may not be real. Meantime, hardworking teams/individuals that are there to never take money are grouped into the same category. Some of these people may charge for their professional service as this is how they make their living AND have years of experience to offer for that service. Hence why I do NOT judge a single person. Each person taking money knows why you accept that money and under what pretense it is handed over. The paranormal field is deeply entrenched in psychology. This is a great thing and at other times a deadly thing for the victims.
Case and point: If you are looking for paranormal help, I BEG of you to research the people you are asking to help you. These are strangers in your home and life. Just like you trust a doctor with private information, you need to feel comfortable with them. If you do not - no matter the team - find one that is a right "fit" for you. Ask questions to the people you meet. Find out about their day jobs. Observe their eye contact and body language. Get copies of anything you sign, or did they even ask you to sign anything? Think in legal terms when confidentiality like when you visit a hospital or any professional (whom would you give personal information to).
Perhaps the team is new and teams are limited in your area? Maybe you know some legalities they may need and don't do - then offer to help. Watch for the response. That response will tell you volumes. Also, just because they are new, doesn't mean they can't help, either. They may not have the years of experience to draw from, but enthusiasm and a listening ear will go miles if they are ethical!
Best of luck to you all!
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