Psychic Uses Public Grief to Target Vulnerable People

How This Scam Works

Grief targeting is one of the most predatory forms of psychic fraud. The scammer monitors obituaries, memorial social media posts, funeral home guest books, and grief support forums to identify recently bereaved people. They then reach out directly — via social media message, email, or even physical mail — claiming to have received a message from the deceased loved one. The message typically includes details that were publicly available in the obituary or memorial post but feel deeply personal to the grieving recipient. The initial contact is free, but the scammer positions themselves as a vital ongoing connection to the deceased. The bereaved person, desperate for contact with their loved one, becomes a long-term paying client. The emotional exploitation of grief is particularly harmful because the manipulated bond is attached to a real, profound loss. Walking away feels like losing the loved one a second time.

Warning Signs

• You received an unsolicited message from a psychic claiming to have a message from your deceased loved one
• The psychic found you through a memorial post, obituary, or grief support group
• The initial details provided match publicly available information from funeral or memorial postings
• The psychic contacted you during an acute grief period when your judgment is most compromised
• They offer a free initial communication but monetize ongoing contact
• They position themselves as the exclusive channel to your loved one

What Legitimate Practice Looks Like

Ethical mediums do not solicit clients. They wait to be found through their professional profiles, platforms, or referrals. They do not monitor public grief to find targets. A genuine medium who happens to receive an unsolicited spirit communication would not cold-contact the family — the ethical approach is to simply hold space for the message without acting on it uninvited. Legitimate mediumship sessions happen because the client sought the service, not because the medium found the client.

What to Do

Never respond to unsolicited psychic contact, especially during periods of grief. If you wish to consult a medium, seek one independently through established platforms where you control the process. Be aware that obituaries, memorial posts, and funeral home guest books are public information that can be used to fabricate psychic impressions. If you receive a suspicious unsolicited contact, block the sender and report them to the platform where the contact occurred.