# Poor put-upon Miss Cleo! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 23, 2001, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-put-upon-miss-cleo/83395 "2001-09-23T22:05:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Gr8Kat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gr8kat/32/18668_2.png) [@Gr8Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gr8Kat)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-put-upon-miss-cleo/83395/1 "2001-09-23T22:05:57Z")
Her latest ad has me shaking my head in dismay and disgust. I wish I could remember exactly what she says to quote her word-for-word, but what it boils down to is she is being discriminated against for her beliefs, when she all she is is a teacher, a “shaman.” It’s disgusting as hell that this TV SHAM (note the absence of the “AN”) is trying to play on people’s sympathies when people in this country are facing very real discrimination for their beliefs. To equate herself with Muslims and Middle-Easterners who have been harassed since Sept. 11 is just lower than low. I know “Miss Cleo” is just an actress, but that someone would actually write those lines for her in the hopes that this would induce people to call and spend money on a fraud that could otherwise go to charity or to feed their own families–I’m choking on my own bile here. Please, if there is a God, please make Miss Cleo go the way of Dionne Warwick’s Psychic Friends. ---
**Author:** ![tavalla](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tavalla/32/89_2.png) [@tavalla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tavalla)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-put-upon-miss-cleo/83395/2 "2001-09-23T22:18:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Gr8Kat \* > \*\*Please, if there is a God, please make Miss Cleo go the way of Dionne Warwick’s Psychic Friends. \*\* He tried, but she saw everything coming before He did it… :d&r: ---
**Author:** ![THespos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@THespos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/THespos)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-put-upon-miss-cleo/83395/3 "2001-09-23T22:55:40Z")
You know, I’ve been getting spam from Miss Cleo, and it started arriving approximately a couple days following the WTC and Pentagon attacks. I equate it to trying to capitalize on people’s misery and uncertainty during these tough times, and I think it sucks. I wish someone would thoroughly kick Miss Cleo’s ass. ---
**Author:** ![Gr8Kat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gr8kat/32/18668_2.png) [@Gr8Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gr8Kat)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-put-upon-miss-cleo/83395/4 "2001-09-23T23:20:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by THespos \* > \*\*You know, I’ve been getting spam from Miss Cleo, and it started arriving approximately a couple days following the WTC and Pentagon attacks. I equate it to trying to capitalize on people’s misery and uncertainty during these tough times, and I think it sucks. > > I wish someone would thoroughly kick Miss Cleo’s ass. \*\* I cringe to think how many misguided and/or desperate people might have called to find out about missing loved ones. You’d hope they’d know better, but you never know. The idea that these scoundrels could be profiting from people’s misery sickens me. ---
**Author:** ![Kamandi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5daacb/32.png) [@Kamandi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamandi)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2001, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-put-upon-miss-cleo/83395/5 "2001-09-24T00:41:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Gr8Kat \* > \*\*I cringe to think how many misguided and/or desperate people might have called to find out about missing loved ones. You’d hope they’d know better, but you never know. The idea that these scoundrels could be profiting from people’s misery sickens me. \*\* I must be psychic myself, because I clearly see these soulless fuckers getting fat off the sorrow of this latest crop of the foolish and desperate. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2001, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-put-upon-miss-cleo/83395/6 "2001-09-24T02:07:58Z")
I thought Miss Cleo was being shut down because of fraud? ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2001, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-put-upon-miss-cleo/83395/7 "2001-09-24T03:43:50Z")
Not “shut down”, just fined. And not because of “fraud”, but just because of violating the State of Missouri’s “no call” laws. Not “psychic” fraud, just “consumer” fraud. [http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAEI2Z1LPC.html](http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAEI2Z1LPC.html) > [@](#): > > Missouri’s Attorney General Accuses Company That Promotes TV Psychic of Consumer Fraud > > By Paul Sloca Associated Press Writer > Published: Jul 25, 2001 > > JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri’s attorney general has filed lawsuits against a television psychic hot line for allegedly violating the state’s no-call law and consumer fraud. > > **"Miss Cleo should have seen this coming** ," Attorney General Jay Nixon said. “It doesn’t take a crystal ball to realize that ripping off consumers isn’t without consequences.” > > Nixon filed two suits Tuesday against Access Resources Services Inc., a Florida company best-known for promoting Miss Cleo’s tarot psychic reading. > > The lawsuits filed in St. Louis Circuit Court allege 94 violations of the state’s no-call list. The company faces fines of up to $5,000 per violation if found liable for calling people who requested privacy. Jay’s a funny guy, huh? 😃 Anyway, the story so far… [http://www.ago.state.mo.us/080801.htm](http://www.ago.state.mo.us/080801.htm) > [@](#): > > Aug. 8, 2001 > > Miss Cleo ordered to pay $75,000 for calling Missourians on No Call list; legal action on consumer fraud continues > > Jefferson City, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon today announced that the Florida-based business that advertises psychic services through a spokeswoman known as “Miss Cleo” will pay $75,000 for making telemarketing calls to Missourians who have their phone numbers on the state’s No Call list. > > The order by the St. Louis City Circuit Court resolves one of two lawsuits filed by Nixon on July 24 against Access Resource Services Inc. of Fort Lauderdale, which does business as Miss Cleo. The other lawsuit, filed in Jackson County, charged the company with violating state consumer fraud laws by billing customers for advertised free services such as tarot and psychic readings and misrepresenting reduced rates and fee waivers for the first three minutes of each phone call. Nixon has obtained a temporary restraining order against Miss Cleo in that case and is seeking a permanent injunction. > > The violations stated in the lawsuit include allegations that Miss Cleo had sent bills to Missourians — **including some deceased** — who had never requested services from the psychic hot line; and that the “free” three minutes on the calls were devoted to obtaining basic information from the consumer and to putting the consumer on hold until the toll minutes began. But they were requesting services from the Other Side! That Jay, he is SUCH a hard-nose… ---
**Author:** ![Abe\_Babe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3ab097/32.png) [@Abe\_Babe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abe_Babe)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2001, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-put-upon-miss-cleo/83395/8 "2001-09-24T13:46:57Z")
“Hello, Miss Cleo? I want to make this a collect call to my dead Uncle Abner, at 1 (666) PRGATRY.” ---
**Author:** ![Marlitharn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/779978/32.png) [@Marlitharn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marlitharn)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2001, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-put-upon-miss-cleo/83395/9 "2001-09-24T14:50:12Z")
Miss Cleo’s lawyer didn’t have a hair on his ass if he didn’t stand up and tell that judge, “Your Honor, this case should be thrown out immediately. Miss Cleo didn’t call a single person who didn’t wish to be called. Even if they didn’t consciously know it, even if they believed it was the last thing on earth they wanted, Miss Cleo knew, and that’s why she called. She was only providing a requested service, Your Honor.” Just out of curiousity, does anyone have any idea how long Miss Cleo’s junior operators have to train to perfect that cheesy accent? I refuse to believe Miss Cleo takes all calls herself. That way lies madness. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2001, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-put-upon-miss-cleo/83395/10 "2001-09-24T15:27:07Z")
I knew it was consumer fraud-please, psychic my ass. Still, that fucking sucks. ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2001, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-put-upon-miss-cleo/83395/11 "2001-09-24T17:54:10Z")
So how come Miss Cleo didn’t see the Sept. 11 attacks coming? ---
**Author:** ![5que](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/3bc359/32.png) [@5que](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5que)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2001, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-put-upon-miss-cleo/83395/12 "2001-09-24T18:42:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Marlitharn \* > \*\*Just out of curiousity, does anyone have any idea how long Miss Cleo’s junior operators have to train to perfect that cheesy accent? I refuse to believe Miss Cleo takes all calls herself. That way lies madness. \*\* A Chicago radio station had on one woman who was an operator for about a year. She said they didn’t have to do the accent – they just told callers that Miss Cleo was busy with someone else. The vast majority of the time people stayed on to talk with her. ---
**Author:** ![Earthworm\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f07891/32.png) [@Earthworm\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthworm_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-put-upon-miss-cleo/83395/13 "2001-09-25T11:31:59Z")
I suggest we file a class-action suit against Miss Cleo, and any other phone(y) psychics we can get our hands on, for not giving us fair warning about the attacks. The bitch just let it happen. I mean, how wrong is that? [sub]and thank you, Jay Nixon, for the idea[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Marlitharn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/779978/32.png) [@Marlitharn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marlitharn)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-put-upon-miss-cleo/83395/14 "2001-09-25T13:02:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by 5que \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Marlitharn \* > > \*\*Just out of curiousity, does anyone have any idea how long Miss Cleo’s junior operators have to train to perfect that cheesy accent? I refuse to believe Miss Cleo takes all calls herself. That way lies madness. \*\* > > A Chicago radio station had on one woman who was an operator for about a year. She said they didn’t have to do the accent – they just told callers that Miss Cleo was busy with someone else. The vast majority of the time people stayed on to talk with her. \*\* Oh, but hell no. If I call Miss Cleo, dammit, I want to talk to Miss Cleo. Don’t pawn me off on some schmuck in training - this bunny doesn’t settle for second best. At least fake the accent and PRETEND you’re the real thing. ---
**Author:** ![CnoteChris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/278dde/32.png) [@CnoteChris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CnoteChris)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2001, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-put-upon-miss-cleo/83395/15 "2001-09-25T14:33:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Marlitharn \* > \*\*Just out of curiousity, does anyone have any idea how long Miss Cleo’s junior operators have to train to perfect that cheesy accent? I refuse to believe Miss Cleo takes all calls herself. That way lies madness. \*\* In another thread on this topic, **Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor** linked to an interesting article on this very topic- [**Nashville Scene- July 7-13, 2001**](http://archives.nashvillescene.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?story=Back_Issues:2001:June_7-13_2001:News:Cover_Story) Definitely an interesting read. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by THespos \* > **You know, I’ve been getting spam from Miss Cleo, and it started arriving approximately a couple days following the WTC and Pentagon attacks. I equate it to trying to capitalize on people’s misery and uncertainty during these tough times, and I think it sucks.** It seems to me she was doing this long before the attacks on the WTC, **THespos**. Was she really doing anything different _before_? Why people think these people are ever above these sleazy tactics is beyond me. These people were in the gutter long before the WTC attacks came along. They didn’t need to, or could, go lower than where they were before… they were already there. ---
**Author:** ![jack\_ss](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c77e96/32.png) [@jack\_ss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jack_ss)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2001, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-put-upon-miss-cleo/83395/16 "2001-09-26T02:34:27Z")
> [@](#): > > - originally posted by **Beelzebubba** \* > I suggest we file a class-action suit against Miss Cleo, and any other phone(y) psychics we can get our hands on, for not giving us fair warning about the attacks. > > The bitch just let it happen. I mean, how wrong is that? That’s because she’s in with the Terrorist…😃