Skeptical activism: think global, act loco

[osmosis]

I noticed that the "psychic fair" is making the rounds in my neck of the woods. These mother*******s operate with apparent immunity. They rent space in local malls like a spider spinning a web, and wait for the gullible to wander too close and get snared. I bet they've even got ads in the local papers advertising their BS wares.

Where is the government in all this, you might ask? All I can imagine is they're paying their taxes so the government lets it slide.

I'd like to spoil the party.

Any suggestions?

[Francesca R]

Where is the government in all this, you might ask? All I can imagine is they're paying their taxes so the government lets it slide.In the UK I think the only current legislation is the Fraudulent Mediums Act 1951, (which replaced the Witchcraft Act of 1735 :) ) in which someone needs to prove the intent to commit fraud to legally stick it to a psychic, with there being no onus on psychics to prove their claims, just like there is no requirement for the Pope to prove the existence of God. So as far as I know, the government is largely out of it and convictions of psychics are quite rare. I expect other people here know a lot more than me though.

I'd like to spoil the party. Any suggestions?If they rent out private space, like a shopping mall, you're on a sticky wicket. In a public space you and some friends could carry huge yellow "THIS IS FRAUDULENT BOLLOCKS" banners.

[Professor Yaffle]

The Fraudulent Mediums Act was repealed earlier this year. This sort of thing now come under "The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008".

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/em/uksiem_20081277_en.pdf

[Francesca R]

Whoopsie, thank you.

[Nyarlathotep]

I have been told I act loco enough already.

Muy gracias.

[osmosis]

Well, I'm in Canada, and up here there seems to be NO legal sanctions on this kind of fraud.

Anyone know of a Canadian law forbidding the slick from fleecing the gullible? I don't.