Psychic has run-in with Advertising Standards Authority
Sister Charlotte, a crystal ball, tarot card and palm reader from Manchester, claimed to be able to solve problems in love, marriage, business, exams and even immigration.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) challenged her to prove it. When she couldn't, it ordered her to tone down her adverts.
The ruling followed a single complaint from a man who found a leaflet promoting the psychic's '100 per cent success rate'.
Sister Charlotte, 33, said her technique - which aims to remove 'negative energies' and replace them with positive ones - can change lives.
She said: "A man phoned out of the blue asking how I can claim to do all this. But I don't claim to cure cancer or solve devastating marriage problems.
"I speak to my clients. They tell me I am effective at removing negative energies and relieving their physical, emotional and spiritual problems.
"I am 100 per cent successful with people who come to see me. If someone does not think the treatment works, I give them a refund. Some people don't understand."
The leaflet said: "Sister Charlotte can do many great things for you! Remember, no matter how big you think your problems are, they are not impossible to solve."
The Advertising Standards Agency demanded evidence of Sister Charlotte's abilities.
They said: "We considered claims that marketers could successfully solve all problems, break curses, banish evil spirits, improve the health, wealth, love life, happiness or other circumstances of readers should be avoided because they were likely to be impossible to prove. Sister Charlotte's claims were unsubstantiated and likely to mislead."
The ASA has received 174 complaints about 171 psychics' ads over the past two years. A spokesman said cracking down on the small number was important to avoid misleading the public.
evergreen
I want a guarantee from the doctor too please
fair enough though it is a pretty big claim.. I think calming 100% success is not a wise thing...
Raymond
As soon as I read she called herself 'Sister' Charlotte I thought, oh-oh.
One for Mr.Donnis and the skeptic massive methinks.
david hobbs
She claims 100% sucsess but offers a refund if not. Errrr, how does that work then?.
The wording of the standards commitee suggests that they believe in curses amongst other things.
Raymond
Now that's the part I found interesting. The ASA asked her to prove her abilities, now, any sensible person would know she's a whack-job by the mere fact she calls herself "Sister Charlotte", yet a respectable organisation like the ASA not only seems to believe her claims they also seem willing to allow her to prove them.
It would be interesting to use that argument if anybody is ever taken to court under these ridiculous mediumship laws.
david hobbs
Perhaps political correctness is rearing it's ugly head again.
This person is a charlatan.
So where's the problem.
Get rid of her.
david hobbs
Perhaps political correctness is rearing it's ugly head again.
This person is a charlatan.
So where's the problem.
Get rid of her.
Raymond
I don't suppose she's a charlatan in the true meaning of the word, I imagine it's just a case of her 'bigging herself up'.
