They use cards because your energy in supposed to be channelled into them when you shuffle them. ( A real tarot reader wont touch the cards after you, other than to turn them over) .....

I dont know how a reading could be 'real' or accurate over the phone as your energy cant travel through the phone to them in any way and they certainly cant read your aura or anything....so Id say stay away from those 'psychics'......

My mum goes to one often and she is spot on...(in sydney) and tapes it for you....