ASA complaint about Russell Grant

[Cassus]

This weekend I've finished a new batch of complaints to the ASA. A good number of psychics are among their numbers. Here are the edited highlights! (Links to the adverts: bit.ly/duvcg4)

Russell Grant was something of an eighties TV icon, breathlessly delivering horoscopes to the nation from his popular slot on morning television.

Russell's star has faded somewhat (Geddit?!??), although he still appears on TV from time to time. His newspaper and magazine adverts, needless to say, are everywhere.

With all those business affairs to run, you'd think Russell had a knack for getting things done. It must be a rare oversight, then, that caused his website to be improperly registered to a non-trading individual!

An advert in this month's Soul & Spirit magazine promotes his telephone psychic reading service.

Several of the employees are claimed to be "accurate". The ASA aren't going to like that!

"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "Soul and Spirit" magazine (Issue 31, Aug 2010, p54).

The advert, for RGA Ltd/Russell Grant, promotes a telephone psychic reading service.

I suspect that the advert may be in breach of three sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.

1. The advert's claims consist of a series of profiles on the psychic readers employed by the service, and a set of testimonials from apparently satisfied customers.

2. The ASA Council has recently ruled (comlaint ref. 122556 and 122562) against adverts for psychics whose readings are claimed to be "accurate".

3. Under Sections 3.1, 50.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertiser can substantiate any of the following claims:

(i) Tanya's readings are "accurate"
(ii) Aristos's readings are accurate, and specifically he is "renowned for his accuracy"
(iii) Pooja "offers intuitive, accurate and precise readings"
(iv) Theos's readings consist of "accurate, pinpointed clear information"

4. Under Sections 3.1, 14.3 and 50.1, I challenge whether the advertiser can substantiate any of the following testimonials:

(i) "Jo...has proven to me she's the real deal...very accurate"
(ii) "Aristos...you were 100% accurate"

5. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or the magazine. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine."

[Cassus]

Here's one about one of Jon's favourite psychic personalities, Michele Knight. (Links to advert: bit.ly/9gAOKb)

Meet Michele Knight!

If her name is familiar, perhaps it's because you remember my earlier ASA complaint about the "accurate" psychics she allegedly employs.

Unfortunately, it was one of the complaints the ASA dropped in order to concentrate on two "test cases", both of which were upheld in full.

In her subsequent adverts Michele has brazenly continued to advertise that her psychics can deliver "accurate" readings. (See the latest one here, here and here.)

Well, perhaps Michele actually possesses documentary evidence, observed in controlled laboratory conditions, that can substantiate her unlikely claims. But my money is on a defence (from here autobiography, which I paraphrase here) that goes something like this:

"Before I employ a new psychic, I ask them to tell me something that they couldn't possibly know..."

I hardly need describe the potential problems with that approach - suffice to say, if I were being interviewed, and having read a few books on stage magic, I would lay serious money on being offered the job!

ASA complaint follows. Thanks for the memories!

"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "Soul and Spirit" magazine (Issue 31, Aug 2010, p72-73).

The advert, for Michele Knight, promotes a telephone psychic reading service.

I suspect that the advert may be in breach of three sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.

1. The advert includes a series of testimonials attesting to the accuracy of the service's psychic readings.

2. The relevant testimonials consist of the text:

(i) "Honest, straight forward, accurate - Michele is true value for money." (Marie Claire Magazine)

(ii) [About 'Sue C'] "She was so accurate in reading my current situation that it took my breath away. I will definitely book another reading with her in the future. Bea"

(iii) [About 'Steve'] "Steve is an awesome psychic. He didn't ask any questions, was spot on with [his] analysis and his predictions were extremely believable. Jane"

3. The ASA Council has recently ruled (complaint ref. 122556 and 122562) against adverts for psychics whose readings are claimed to be "accurate".

4. Under Sections 3.1, 14.3 and 50.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertiser can substantiate any of the following claims:

(i) Michele's psychic readings (as attested by Marie Claire) are "accurate"

(ii) "Sue C"'s psychic readings are "accurate"

(iii) "Steve"'s psychic readings are "spot on"

(iv) Any of the psychics employed by the service are capable of giving "accurate" readings

5. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or the magazine. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine."

[Cassus]

You might know "Inbaal" if you spend too much time watching the telly, or reading woo magazines. (Links to adverts: bit.ly/cHTwPe)

A lot of psychics try to trade on their celebrity connections, or even claim to be celebrities in their own right.

In the case of Inbaal (pictured above), the claim is arguably true. She has been on the telly quite a bit over the years, and she's a regular feature in all the superstition-promoting magazines I read.

Inbaal claims to be accurate - as do eight other psychics. Today I've contacted the ASA about all of them. Let's see if any of the claims they make are actually true!

I've grouped the nine complaints here, in a single blogpost, so they don't clutter up the sidebar. The complaints are mostly similar, so you might not need to read them all.

I've included the complaint about "Inbaal" below. The others - which are all more or less the same - are available at the link above if, for some bizarre reason, you want to read them.

"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "High Spirit" magazine (August issue, p77).

The advert, for "Inbaal", promotes a psychic reading service available face-to-face, on the telephone or by SMS.

I suspect that the advert may be in breach of three sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.

1. The advert contains the text:

"INBAAL - Celebrity Psychic - Inbaal has proved the accuracy of her readings many times on TV, Radio and magazines, (including this one [High Spirit Magazine] !)..."

2. The ASA Council has recently ruled (complaint ref. 122556 and 122562) against adverts for psychics whose readings are claimed to be "accurate".

3. Under Section 3.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that "Inbaal"'s psychic readings are accurate.

4. (i) "Inbaal"'s website, www.inbaal.com, gives a complete list of her appearances on TV, radio and in print.

(ii) I have not been able to find any demonstrations, on her site or elsewhere, of "Inbaal"'s psychic abilities which have taken place in controlled, laboratory conditions in which all potential sources of bias, either deliberate or unintentional, have been removed.

5. Therefore, under Section 3.1, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that "Inbaal"'s "accuracy" has been "proved...many times on TV, Radio and magazines"

6. Given that most consumers - very few of whom are trained magicians - are generally ignorant of the controlled experimental conditions required to prove a psychic ability:

(i) Under Section 7.1, I challenge whether the claim is misleading

(ii) Under Section 6.1, I challenge whether the claim "exploit the credulity, lack of knowledge or inexperience of consumers"

7. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or the magazine. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine."

[Amaris]

You might know "Inbaal"

Yes I came across her when researching info on phone psychics when I did the Hamilton Parker article. They all read from the same tired script.
Keep up the great work Cassus

[Mr. Jon Donnis]

Great work!! - Admin

[mrjohnno]

Very reasonable Cassus

[Cassus]

Well, I've had some feedback from Michele Knight. (Not from Russell Grant, though. That would be COOL.)

Michele says:

You posted my original response and then on a whim deleted it but I can assure you that the whole point is that the reader is not accepted by what is in the public arena. I suggest you or anyone tries to become a reader after 5 tests with that knowledge. We do not accept about 1 in 100 and our hundred who apply. Our positive feedback it testament to that fact. I agree that there are many people who claim to have positive feedback but are faking it and I suggest you go after them but clearly you have an agenda. This is a shame as you are right there are many rip off artists in this and many places.If your premise is that it is all rubbish there is no room for debate.

PS We can prove every piece of feedback which is a fraction of the daily positive feedback we get.

I haven't got a clue what she's talking about. Can anyone help?

[mrjohnno]

They can prove the feedback but that says nothing as to the truth of said feedback?

[fluffet]

Trouble translating a psychic ?
At your wits end with woo wording ?
Just can't make sense of spiritual speak ?
You need the PSYCHALATOR !
Available at a one time only price of £19.99 (plus free packet of Asprin)

You posted my original response and then on a whim deleted it but I can assure you that the whole point is that the reader is not accepted by what is in the public arena.

Psychalator says -

Your deletion of my response has annoyed me because I am unaccustomed to my every syllable not being treated with the awe it deserves. I can assure you my frustration at this will result in several nonsensical sentences by way of explaination.What I was trying to say is what I tell the public of the selection process for readers is not the same as what I actually do when selecting a reader.It's actually a much more random and vague process than that.

I suggest you or anyone tries to become a reader after 5 tests with that knowledge.

Psychaltor says -

I can't actually tell you what the process is cause its all just made up guff so instead I'll imply its a really hard and rigourous selection process that you would fail.

We do not accept about 1 in 100 and our hundred who apply.

Psychaltor says -

We do accept all major credit cards and hundreds are happy to give us them.

Our positive feedback it testament to that fact

Psychalor says -

It's amazing the nice things people say when you tell them things they want to hear.The testaments prove only that fact.

I agree that there are many people who claim to have positive feedback but are faking it and I suggest you go after them but clearly you have an agenda.

Psychaltor says -

I am a good little psychic I am ,it's those big bad evil ones you should be chasing...why are you picking on little ole genuine me ? See im agreeing with you so I must be genuine.

This is a shame as you are right there are many rip off artists in this and many places.

Psychalator says -

I'm as annoyed as you about the rip off merchants see....you've got the wrong psychic guv'nor ...and everytime I say this I believe it a little more myself too.

If your premise is that it is all rubbish there is no room for debate

Psychalator says -

If your premise is that its all rubbish then I'm screwed cause I can't really provide anything substantial to refute that claim so I'll just pretend that its your fault instead.

[romany]

fluffet, that is your best post yet - brilliant! Karma'd!

Romany.

[Cassus]

Fluffet, I really hope that translation ends up getting posted by someone underneath the original article.

scepticalletterwriter.blogspot.com/2010/08/michele-knight-queen-of-accuracy.html

[fluffet]

It could be arranged (has been now)

Cheers for the link Cassus and once again I'm suitably in awe of your letter writing skills and your dedication

Cheers for the karma Romany

I'm courting JML for an offer on the Psychalator ...but they want a handy tin opener attachement added

[exile]

Brilliant Fluffet! ;D ;D ;D