I feel compelled to address this looming issue of scam artists using my name - and the names of other wellness people in the industry - to scam our friends, family, and community into sending them money. I am frustrated and angry that my name is being used to defraud people.
To those of you who follow me or others in our community, beware of fake accounts! These clone accounts are popping up faster than we can report them. One of the dumbest moves of these scammers is contacting my existing following which is made up of mostly my friends, family and clients who know I would never badger them or write in stupidly vague messages in improper English with no punctuation (my favorite English teacher taught me better than that!).
So let me say this:
1. I will not be making any new accounts in the near future.
If you get a friend request from me or Tea & Tarot, it is NOT real. We only have two accounts - @TheTeaTarotWitch and our shop account @TeaTarotBoutique. These will be our only two accounts. Should that change, we will make an announcement on these accounts first.
2. I will never solicit you in a message for a reading.
I will NEVER solicit services from you in a private message. I never push our services on you. Same as many other wellness businesses like massage therapists and spas, all of our services are listed on our website and state our pricing upfront. If you have any specific questions, please feel free to email us (hello@teaandtarotboutique.com) or call us (475) 655-8295 at the shop. Professionals in this field will not pressure you into services. Period.
3. You will not pay for services with online cash apps.
You will not pay for services via Venmo, PayPal, Cashapp, or other online apps. We only collect payment after your readings in the shop or via zoom through Square.
4. We have a code of conduct we follow.
I have spoken about my beliefs in ethics and boundaries many times. I have always been frustrated by those who use Tarot and other spiritual services to prey on vulnerable people. I refer to them as the “Neon Signs” or those who offer $10 services to lure you in, then tell you that you are cursed and they can help you for $1k. It aggravates me to no end! I am annoyed but not surprised that it is also happening virtually by cat-fishing vulnerable people. I have written another blog article on it HERE if you want to read it.
If you are contacted by one of these accounts, do not engage and report it immediately. If you find you have been caught up in a scammer, report the charge to your bank or credit card and claim it as fraud. If you are ever concerned and unsure about whom you are speaking to using our name, please contact the shop to verify.
Thank you to all of you who have contacted me in the last few weeks to let me know, to help report them, and even told them off for me. You are amazing! Be vigilant, dear friends!
Blessings,
xo, Heather
Decks: tiny tarot, mystic Mondays (left), and Pacific Northwest tarot (right). Book: tarot and the divination cards, a visual archive by Laetitia Barbier