So, are all providers who require deposits up front scams?  I was taken today by this one:

and another one:

Some advertisers insist on a deposit to weed out the no shows and time/money wasters. Other advertisers are  scammers out to collect deposits, as you have unfortunately discovered. One way to put the odds in your favor is to search for reviews and decide which ones are real versus which ones are planted, self-promotions.  And if you do TOFTT, let the rest of the client community know.  I have had one experience with an advertiser requiring a deposit. She was a member of P411, had a twitter account, and her own well-developed website.  However, she was not review friendly, which made me hesitant.  But the deposit was small and everything else looked good, so I took a chance, and it worked out well for me.  I see her to this day, and she still requires a deposit prior to each meeting.

There are alot of scams out there but there are alot of guys that constantly  inquire  without booking  or never show i do require deposits  from new clients  with no provider references  its just safer I've gotten to old  to take rusk

Real providers as for deposits to see who's serious and who's not. We can't make plans to see you and then you don't show. Now we've cancelled/rescheduled someone else who was interested at the specific time that you wanted. If the provider you're interested is upscale, has a legit website, social media, reviews, use your better judgement.

obviously, if I found reviews at a TER or another website I would be less concerned but these have all been TOFTT moments and I've lost each time!

"Now we've cancelled/rescheduled someone else who was interested at the specific time that you wanted." - Cancelling/rescheduling an appointment with a reliable client over a prospect whom you've never met before tells me you don't place much value on your regulars. I believe regulars are the ones who keep you in high cotton through thick and thin and should always have priority.  If I were treated as second class, I would look for another provider who did value my time.

How much of a deposit did they want? Fixed amount or percentage of appointment?

Never once did I mention anything about regulars. "Now we've cancelled/rescheduled someone else who was interested at the specific time that you wanted." is in reference to the gents that don't want to send a deposit. If I were to ever accept a booking without a deposit and that person cancels, I could have taken another appointment that would have actually shown up.  

There is your answer... if you are going to spend enough money to be pissed if you lose it then do not spend it on a TOFTT type girl.  Schedule a well known solid provider.  You really cannot be too upset if you schedule a unknown

It varies, I've been asked for $50 to $100 to 50%.

I disagree.  There aren't many girls in Atlanta, at least those with TER reviews, who are in my preferred type.  I'm not that picky but I absolutely hate fake tits.  I prefer spinners.  And if I'm going to spend my money I'm going to spend it on someone who I'm attracted to who provides GFE.  There aren't a lot of them in Atlanta.  Look at the top reviewed girls in Atlanta, almost all of them are DD fake tits.  Not my type.

She worked at one of the local agencies and would have fit your bill, but she retired 6-7 mos ago after having graduated from college.

I have literally NEVER been scammed out of a deposit.  I've actually paid a deposit and the provider cancelled and I got my deposit back.  I believe the reason is I screen the provider as well. If she doesn't have a strong social media/review presence, I move on.  There are too many avenues out there to see if the provider is #1 real and #2 trustworthy.  

what avenues are those if they don't have reviews?  The whole point of my thread was for providers who don't have reviews.

Then I don't know what to tell you... I have not had the same problems you are having.  I screen the ladies to make sure they are legit and then I don't mind a deposit.... what if it was a big deposit like 2,000 .... my point is still true, if I am going to be pissed if I lose it then I should not send it.  I do the same thing loaning money to friends, If I am pissed if they never pay me back then I don't make the loan.

If a lady has a well documented social media presence, over a long period of time, interacting with other providers, you can be pretty damn certain she's legit.

Hi TER World! Great seeing the board active again. As far as deposits go... I've always required deposits for extending visits (4 hrs or longer). As of the last year I have started requiring deposits for newbies and new friends to me that have references. My regulars and repeat friends are NOT required to pay a deposit AS LONG AS they haven't NCNS or cancelled on me within 24 hr in the past. I'm sure there are ladies that scam, I'm not one of them.  

I just excitedly reached out to a very highly rated provider when I discovered she was back in town. She actually asked me how I wanted to handle the deposit. Huh? This was despite my having seen her ( and having wonderful times more than once, albeit several years ago). That hasn't happened to me before...

Because I have to meet at hotels and I refuse to pay for a room without knowing the fellow is going to show. He could have 150 okays on p411 and 20 references and I still don't want to pay out of pocket and take the risk. I only require a deposit for outcalls if I have to drive out of town. Otherwise I can ignore time wasters etc. If you can't send a deposit for the room fee, you aren't serious about seeing me.
I agree you should check a providers reviews. Nothing beats bullshit like the truth. When a person is new to the hobby it's not difficult to meet for coffee or in the hotel lobby first. You both can show that you're serious and break the ice a little.

I think that sounds reasonable given whatever scheduling logistical concerns and dealing with an unknown person.

If the gentleman offered to book the room at the hotel you specified and then left it for you to use after his appointment simply paying you the difference in cash, would that be acceptable?

That's a little much if he can book the room himself just call it an outcall  

Is there any real fool proof way to have no paper trail with one of these apps for deposit?  

I the rents the rooms and stays there, yes. I was speaking in situations where maintaining discretion may not allow the gentleman to actually stay in the room overnight. If he left it for her to entertain in the remainder of the day and night would that not be the same as her renting a room to use as an incall without the financial risk to the provider?

I have had two occasions in which I paid a deposit and the meeting did't occur.  The first time, the provider emailed me ahead of time and sent the deposit back by the next day.  Professional communication and timing. That's how it should work.  

Hobbying before cell phones and PayPal?  
Answer an ad from the back of one of those entertainment papers you could pick up by the cash register at the x-rated video store or sex shop. Call from hotel room and talk in code. Terms like  "speaks French", "speaks Russian", "girl friend experience",  etc were all born then.  

Yes we were faithfully in the yellowpages, xcitement, latenight and creative  loafing. It was great guys just called and said send some petite or send some one with a big booty and u sent then no asking for 3 extra pics and all the other hassles the good ol days will forever be missed

That sucks I always return  deposits if the girl can not make it. We only keep deposit  if the guy cancels but I learned  a guy will try very hard to not cancel if he sent deposit

Of course

Good to know!

Aww.  I have 32dd real tits proportioned with my petite 5'1 120 lb body.

I'm very particular with who I choose to set my dates with; researching the gent through P411 or reverse email lookup on TER for reviews.  I don't see newbies.  I usually take on one new client a week as I get back to carefully reentering the hobby.  I just haven't seen any NCNS in over a decade and I don't ask for deposits.  (now, several of my TER friends did send me cashapps and gifts to help me when nobody was working; good people don't make me cry)   Maddie

yes, the good ole days prior to internet, all my clients were word of mouth.  Fun times with simplicity and secrecy  

Good times indeed!

I had an experience of being ripped of by https://winterkay.escortbook.com. She had stellar reviews an OF page yet she was a fake. Apparently past guys were too afraid to out her(why I don’t know) but come to find out she scammed plenty of guys. I will never waste time with a deposit. NEVER. For those who do require it I will just pass.

Her reviews were good until about a month or two ago, then clients said they were being scammed out of their deposits. It sounds like something dramatic changed her business model.  Full disclosure, seven(?) months ago I scheduled an appointment with her, but later she cancelled with proper notification.  No deposit was involved.

For some reason

Agreed.  
I just moved to Atlanta but it seems a lot of guys are unwilling to do a deposit...  
I am verified / reviewed but from california.  
It’s disheartening.  
I have also gotten a room and had one person show up... so that’s a loss to my business.  
Damned if ya do and damned if ya don’t...