And take environment into account. For example, a flashing neon sign that says "$10 readings" might make you want to think twice. Most psychics work for $10, and they don’t need a tacky sign to state the obvious. So to find out the going rate, ask around. Find out from others what the psychic you’re considering has charged in the past. This is a good indicator of consistency and honesty.

2.    Ask about “add-ons.”

A true psychic won’t charge for this, that and everything under the sun. That’s because real psychics are tasked with a promise to be honest.

“An example of this is a lady I have heard of who has a sign that says $10 for a psychic reading,” says Strouse. “But when you go in to see her, she immediately says that she can’t tell you as much information as she could if you got a $300 reading.” That's an obvious red flag.

Agree on a price ahead of time, and don’t be afraid to stand your ground. After all, you’re the one in charge.

“Don’t move forward if you’re not comfortable,” Strouse says. “Just walk away.”

In addition, it’s important to look for “add-ons.” These can be a telltale sign of fraud.

“They’ll say ‘you may need a special candle from Brazil’ or a special type of energy clearing that costs hundreds of dollars. Or they may ask you to bring them gifts in order for your loved one to make it into heaven,” Strouse says. “This has happened to people that I have read for. They will take advantage of you at the most vulnerable time, and a lot of people will believe this because they’re afraid that it’s true.”