I stumbled upon the real identity of a provider I am thinking about seeing. Different scenario, as she has not put her information out there. I was just doing my due diligence on providers and institutions and I came across the info by dumb luck. Should I let her know that it is not terribly difficult to figure her identity out? I mean, if I did it by dumb luck, it shouldn't be heard for LE to figure it out if they are trying.
Looking for others opinion on a recent BP ad.
The ad was for a local provider that appeared to list her full name and the ad also urged readers to search for her Google+ account (she listed what you should search for)
I followed the ad's instructions to search for her on Google+
It took me to a site that, IMHO, shared WAY too much info about her. Her photos had GEO tagging that showed the exact location (hotel) where the photo was taken kinda freaked me out too. Her one friend had links to others that also appeared to be in the biz.
Question: Would other hobbyists go visit her or am I just a paranoid freak??
Disclaimer - I can't give you a link to the ad, as it violates TER policy for info disclosure. But if you're smart you can search BP
Kinda think
I
Might be
Missing something
Yes
Sounds "freaky" to me.
The ad was for a local provider that appeared to list her full name and the ad also urged readers to search for her Google+ account (she listed what you should search for)
I followed the ad's instructions to search for her on Google+
It took me to a site that, IMHO, shared WAY too much info about her. Her photos had GEO tagging that showed the exact location (hotel) where the photo was taken kinda freaked me out too. Her one friend had links to others that also appeared to be in the biz.
Question: Would other hobbyists go visit her or am I just a paranoid freak??
Disclaimer - I can't give you a link to the ad, as it violates TER policy for info disclosure. But if you're smart you can search BP
Kinda think
I
Might be
Missing something
Yes?
2 special things, 1 good & 1 bad (potentially)
Good: I like her photos (the rack!) and the price point
Bad: Why does she share so much personal info? I worry that it opens her up to more scrutiny from LE.
I understand that I can simply not call/see her, but my original question was how do other hobbyists feel about this disclosure and would it affect their decision to visit her or not.
Thanks
It was very simple to find her as you said. You gave a clue and I gave two more in my initial reply.
Good: I like her photos (the rack!) and the price point
Bad: Why does she share so much personal info? I worry that it opens her up to more scrutiny from LE.
I understand that I can simply not call/see her, but my original question was how do other hobbyists feel about this disclosure and would it affect their decision to visit her or not.
Thanks
DOH !
Apparently I can't see the forest for the trees....the double quotes must have blinded me !!
Thanks for setting my dumb a** straigh
There is another well known provider in the Twin Cities (TER Banned) whose identity, location and family members is easily discoverable via a google search. There is a point at which anonymity is a benefit in this activity. Keep far away from providers that cannot grasp that.
I stumbled upon the real identity of a provider I am thinking about seeing. Different scenario, as she has not put her information out there. I was just doing my due diligence on providers and institutions and I came across the info by dumb luck. Should I let her know that it is not terribly difficult to figure her identity out? I mean, if I did it by dumb luck, it shouldn't be heard for LE to figure it out if they are trying.
I suppose if you dig enough, you can find the identity of anyone.
My personal criteria for seeing a new provider:
Minimum of 15 reviews.
Reviewers that demonstrate reviews of multiple well established providers.
A professional personal website.
Happy Hobbying.
Yes do her a favor and let her know
I would let her know and I tell her how her security failed.
This has happened three times to me.
On one occasion her hobby phone number was used in an ad for a non hobby service .
On another, the contact phone number for the appt was traceable.
In another, a pic crossed to a provider's facebook account. We are all responsible for security. Tell her where the leak is so she can fix it.
And then, forget it ever happened and erase all files and tell her that you have done so.
But be aware of the possibility it might freak her out some and she might cut off communication with you fi she thinks you went to a lot of trouble to find this info.