COUNTYWIDE : Warnings Issued on Mail-Order Psychics

Authorities issued warnings last week about two psychics, both apparently operating outside Ventura County, who may be defrauding county residents and other consumers nationwide.

The district attorney’s office issued warnings against Alexandra Rose of the Psychic Prayer Guild in Oyster Bay, N.Y., and Valerie Morrison of Philadelphia.

In each case, a county resident had received a solicitation in the mail from one of the psychics, asking for $20 in exchange for a psychic reading, said Greg Brose, supervising attorney for the consumer protection division of the district attorney’s office.

“They were concerned, they thought it looked funny, so they sent it in to us for review,” Brose said.

In accordance with state law, the district attorney’s office sent letters to Rose and Morrison, asking them to substantiate their claims, Brose said. Rose did not reply, and Morrison’s husband responded but failed to substantiate Morrison’s claim that 85% of her psychic readings are accurate, Brose said.

It has not been proved that any fraud has been committed, Brose said, but authorities decided to warn people against the pair because they did not substantiate their claims.

“Our concern is that people are going to send money in and not get anything back,” Brose said.