meditating past life memories or channeling?

I wonder if there is a way to tell the difference while meditating. I have not dared to meditate in a long time because of paranormal happenings in our home that now seem to have moved on.

When I have meditated in the past I have experience things that I could pin point to one past life, but others that might be past life but how do I know?

could it be that I might as well have channeled someone else's memories if we take aside the possibility that it was only imagination? Can one channel without wanting to do so? Are there memories just out there for anyone to grab or do one need to be given them by someone and have permission to do so?

I would appreciate your thoughts on this one :) Thanks