Legal situation for Tarot Readers in US

[CosmicFaery]

Hello,

not sure if I'm posting this in the right spot, but hopefully my question can be answered here.

I've been asked to do a reading for a person in the US (I'm in the UK). What do I need to do to cover myself legally? Apparently, lawsuits are somewhat more likely in the United States than in Britain and insurance for US/Canada is refused by insurance companies in the UK for any commercial activities, unless for a very large sum.

How do you guys in the US cover the legal aspects of providing Tarot readings?

Thank you in advance for your replies.

 

[Sinduction]

Well, they could only come after you for fraud, that is, if you defrauded them. So unless you're milking them for thousands of dollars, you are ok. Even though I doubt very much the US would care enough to find you.

There is a law in the US, that basically says that if anyone from another country does business in the US, there has to be an easily accessible way to them. For instance, I found this out when my mother's dryer broke under warranty. The company was in Australia, I believe, and under our laws, they had to have someone in the US for us to deal with. Basically, someone we could sue. But that was for a product, not a service. (And we didn't sue, we're not sue happy. Does the world really think that? We just wanted the dryer fixed.)

And if you're going over the net, I wouldn't even know.

I don't see why you'd need protection. If they're paying you, you'd have to check that whatever service you're going through allows for this type of service.

If they aren't paying then there is really nothing they can do to you.

The catch-all seems to be to proclaim in writing that the reading is "for entertainment purposes only." But I've got an online ordination so I can actually call my readings "spiritual counseling."

That's all I got. More people should be along soon to give you more.

 

[Baroli]

If you are reading on the internet, then knock yourself out, just put at the end of your reading "for entertainment purposes only," or some such statement that should cover your a$$ appropriately.

But,.....if you are so worried about a lawsuit, then don't read for people in the US. As a matter of fact,....give me the name of the person and I will read for them, then no lawsuits will be started. SHEESH!!!

 

[minrice]

Even though I doubt very much the US would care enough to find you.

Ha,this is true. I can't imagine anyone putting in enough time and resources unless you really bilked them for a ton of money.

 

[CosmicFaery]

Oh dear! Have I offended people with my question? That wasn't my intention; just wanted to be open and honest about this.

Knowing that "for entertainment purposes only" is sufficient in the US as a disclaimer, is already a big help. We have similar guidelines here in the UK.

I'd rather know about legal issues, so I know where I stand. And sorry in advance, if I offend anybody else with the following question, but I'm asking anyway: I read somewhere, that tarot readings are illegal in some US states -is this true?

Sinduction - many thanks for your reply.

 

[Baroli]

Well, let's clarify shall we?? Are you going to read for someone face to face in the states or are you going to read over the internet.

The internet is still the wild, wild west and having read for people who live all over the world, as long as you are not doing something pornographic or telling people how to fashion pipe bombs and not committing acts of terrorism, then I would say that disclaimer I gave you is fine.

But what I am looking at is your thread title, "Legal situation for Tarot Readers in the US." I have been reading for over 30 years, never had a problem, anywhere with anyone.


ETA: Is that your online store I see?

 

[Abrac]

Never Mind

 

[Debra]

http://www.res.org.uk/society/mediabriefings/pdfs/2005/july05/de-vries.pdf

But my dear, the odds of getting sued are still very low, especially when you are offering a relatively inexpensive service.

I live in the US. Here's what I do. When I read for someone, I tell them, "This reading can give you some things to think about, but do not make any important life decisions based on a tarot card reading. " If you put something like that in your e-mail correspondence with readers, at any rate, it is good advice.

Good luck with your readings!

 

[gregory]

I'm with debra here -

HOW are you reading and where ? debra's disclaimer sounds OK to me.

 

[CosmicFaery]

Debra - thank you for that link.

Anyway, the reading in this case is an e-mail reading. I completely trust my abilities. I've done this many times and I certainly include the usual disclaimers etc. I also don't use tarot for fortune-telling, so if fortune-telling is banned/illegal in some states, then thank Gods I'm not doing that

Info about myself is found on my website.

I thank you all for your input.