I'm very skeptical of anyone claiming to be a psychic. I believe it's possible there are such people--I've had feelings and sudden things that came into my head to turn out to be true. But I don't think I'm a psychic. I answered an ad once for a psychic telephone line, because it said you didn't have to have any abilities, that they would train you. I think it's something you're born with, or a gift or whatever you want to call it that you get later. However, what they were calling "psychic" included reading Tarot cards, among other things, even if you didn't have any kind of intuition, premonitions or any mind-related thing like that. I quit the same day they hired me, because they wanted me to give the same reading to everyone, until I got used to doing it. Phony!!!

I think the vast majority of people claiming to be psychics are probably scam or con artists, or who think they have powers, when they don't. Some of these con artists are quite good at what they do. They can convince those who want to believe by asking the right questions, and some are very good at reading body language and facial expressions to interpret how hot or cold they're getting with their information. Even when a psychic seems to really be right, you can't be sure. Then there's the ones who have little magic and parlor tricks to convince someone they're "cursed" or whatever, and to give up their money. Sometimes they tell them the money itself is cursed, and get them to give it up! One scam involves breaking an egg, and if there's blood in it, or a miniature skull, that proves you're cursed! But it's a trick.

I think there are so many con artists out there because there are so many people who want to believe. It's important to learn to protect yourself. Patty is right, about "cold readings." People tend to forget the misses a "psychic" makes, no matter how many, once s/he manages to make a hit.

I clicked "Yes" that I believe in psychics, but I posted this to be more specific in my answer.