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Barnum Statements Used by Scammers - How Not to Be Fooled

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"You have a major concern recently." "You have past experiences of being hurt." There are patterns in the language used by fortune tellers, mediums, and scammers. It's a Cold Reading technique that exploits the Barnum Effect. Knowing these can help you avoid being deceived!

First, read: What is the Barnum Effect?

What is Cold Reading?​

Definition​

Cold Reading is a technique of appearing to know a lot about someone without prior information.

Users

  • Fortune tellers, shamans
  • Tarot readers, mediums
  • Scammers, pseudo-religious groups
  • Even some "psychological counselors"

Purpose

  • Gain trust
  • Extort money
  • Control

Basic Cold Reading Techniques​

1. High Probability Guess​

Statements Applicable to Most People

Examples

"You have a strong desire to be loved by others"
→ 100% applies to everyone

"You are facing an important decision recently"
→ Everyone is always deciding something

"You have past experiences of being hurt"
→ No one is without hurt

"There have been misunderstandings in family relationships"
→ No perfect family exists

Why Does It Work?

  • Applies to everyone
  • But feels special
  • "How did they know?" surprise

2. Rainbow Ruse​

Statements Allowing Bi-Directional Interpretation

Examples

"You are extroverted, but sometimes introverted"
→ Everyone is like that!

"Good at earning money, but also enjoy spending"
→ Obvious statement

"Stubborn, but also flexible at times"
→ Characteristic of all humans

Psychology

  • A is true, B is true
  • Interpret to fit own situation
  • Impossible to be wrong

3. Fine Flattery​

Praise + Illusion of Specificity

Examples

"You see things others do not"
→ Feeling special (actually applies to everyone)

"You have untapped potential inside"
→ Pleasant to hear (impossible to disprove)

"You have a unique perspective"
→ Everyone has this

Effect

  • Feel good
  • Increase trust
  • Reduce critical thinking

4. Shotgun Statement​

Throw Many, Hit One

Example (Fortune Teller)

"Around you...
- Someone with 's' in their name?
- Family recently worried about health?
- Financial concerns?
- Thinking of an old friend?
- Ever lost something?
- Unexpected news?"

Result

  • 2-3 out of 10 match
  • Remember only matches
  • "Wow, amazing!" exclamation

5. Fishing​

Gathering Information Through Questions

Technique

Reader: "You seem to be facing an important decision recently. Is it work-related?" Consultant: "No, it's about relationships" Reader: "Ah, relationship issues. A new encounter?" Consultant: "Considering breaking up" Reader: "Just as I sensed! I feel the energy of separation"

Reality

  • Consultant provides all answers
  • Reader just follows along
  • But feels "I knew everything"

6. Using Confirmation Bias​

Confirmation Bias + Validation

Technique

"Sometimes you doubt your decisions?"
→ Applies to everyone

"Yes!" (Consultant)

"Right? From what I see, you..."
→ Consultant validates
→ Increase reader's credibility

Real Case: Step-by-Step Analysis​

Case: Fake Medium​

Scenario: 30-something woman visits a medium

Step 1: Observation (1 second)

  • Appearance: Neat clothes, designer bag (economic power)
  • Hands: No ring (single or divorced)
  • Expression: Looks anxious (has concerns)

Step 2: High Probability Guess Medium: "You have a major concern recently." Woman: "Yes!" (surprised)

Reality: 100% of people visiting a medium have concerns

Step 3: Shotgun Approach Medium: "Relationship issue? Or work?" Woman: "Work!"

Step 4: Fishing Medium: "Promotion? Or changing jobs?" Woman: "Considering changing jobs"

Step 5: Rainbow Ruse Medium: "New challenges are scary, but you're ready. But stability is also precious." Woman: "Exactly right!"

Reality: Everyone is both fearful and ready, wanting challenge yet stability

Step 6: Ambiguous Advice Medium: "Decide before spring comes, it will be fortunate." Woman: "Thank you!"

Reality: "Spring" = When? Unverifiable

Targets Scammers Aim For​

Vulnerable Moments​

1. After Loss

  • Death of loved one
  • "Talking to dead" scam
  • Demand huge amounts of money

2. When Anxious

  • Health, financial problems
  • Sell "protection" or "amulets"
  • Demand hundreds of thousands

3. Critical Decisions

  • Marriage, job change, investment
  • "Must get reading before deciding"
  • Encourage repeated visits

Particularly Targeted People​

Characteristics

  • Lonely individuals
  • Lack scientific thinking
  • Strong confirmation bias
  • Desperate situations

Barnum Statement Patterns​

10 Typical Patterns​

1. "You are... but..."

"You are sociable, but also need alone time"
→ Applies to everyone

2. "Sometimes... but often..."

"Sometimes confident, but often doubtful"
→ Characteristic of all people

3. "Others don't know, but..."

"Others don't know, but you have a complex inner world"
→ Everyone is complex

4. "Not yet unleashed..."

"You have much untapped potential"
→ Impossible to disprove

5. "In the past..."

"You've had someone betray your trust"
→ 100% everyone's experience

6. "Recently..."

"Something unexpected happened recently, right?"
→ Unexpected things happen daily

7. "Can..."

"You can do great things"
→ "Can" (not meaning will, impossible to be wrong)

8. "Want to..."

"You want to be recognized"
→ Universal human desire

9. "To some degree..."

"You are somewhat independent"
→ "To some degree" = Ambiguity

10. "Sometimes doubt?"

"Do you sometimes doubt your decisions?"
→ 100% everyone does

How Not to Be Fooled​

1. Demand Specificity​

Question Vague Statements

Scammer: "Good things will happen to you soon" You: "Specifically when? What?" Scammer: "...um... You'll feel it" (evading)

Ambiguous = Barnum Effect!

2. Count Misses Too​

Overcome Confirmation Bias

Method

  • Write on paper
  • Check matches and misses separately
  • Calculate accuracy

Most Results

  • 20-30% accuracy
  • Same as chance
  • No magic

3. Record and Replay​

Surprising in the Moment

  • Record and listen later
  • Full of vague statements
  • No specific predictions
  • Becomes clear

4. Bring Someone Else​

Don't Go Alone

  • Go with a friend
  • Objective observation
  • "That could be said to anyone"

5. Scientific Thinking​

Questions

  • "Is this verifiable?"
  • "Are there counter-examples?"
  • "Is this better than chance?"

Fortune, Tarot, Divination

  • Specified as "for entertainment"
  • No legal issues
  • But exploits Barnum Effect

Illegal​

1. Fraud

  • Demanding large sums for "removing bad luck"
  • Falsely claiming to contact dead
  • Penal Code Article 347 (Fraud)

2. Medical Law Violation

  • Claiming to cure diseases
  • Unlicensed medical practice
  • Punishable

3. Extortion

  • Threatening "disaster if not done"
  • Penal Code Article 350 (Extortion)

Learn More​

Conclusion​

Scammers meticulously exploit the Barnum Effect. But knowing the patterns prevents being fooled.

Cold Reading Techniques

  1. High Probability Guess - Applies to everyone
  2. Rainbow Ruse - Bi-directional interpretation
  3. Fine Flattery - Pretending to be special
  4. Shotgun Statement - Throw many, hit one
  5. Fishing - Gather info through questions
  6. Confirmation Bias - Get subject to validate

Barnum Statement Patterns

  • "~but ~" (dual)
  • "Sometimes ~" (ambiguity)
  • "Not yet unleashed" (unverifiable)
  • "In the past ~" (100% applies)
  • "Can ~" (impossible to be wrong)

How Not to Be Fooled

  • ✅ Demand specificity
  • ✅ Count misses
  • ✅ Record and replay
  • ✅ Bring a friend
  • ✅ Use scientific thinking

Warning Signs

  • Demanding large sums ("removing bad luck" for millions)
  • Encouraging repeated visits ("you must keep coming")
  • Threats ("disaster if not done")
  • Demanding secrecy ("tell no one")

Remember

  • No supernatural powers exist
  • Barnum Effect is psychology
  • Knowing patterns prevents deception
  • Scientific thinking is your shield

"You are intelligent and skeptical. But sometimes you want to believe?"

↑ This is also a Barnum Effect! 😉

Don't be fooled. Your future is created by you, not fortune tellers! 🛡️