Seems pretty obvious:

The guy that wrote the check: It doesn't take a lot of brains to realize the paper trail you are leaving, assuming that is your check with your name on it.

The girl that took the check: You take a check from someone you do not know. You are from out of town. Yes, you should be worried that the check is either fraudulent, or will bounce. Furthermore, if the check is made out to you, your customer now has your real name, and once the check clears, he may know your bank account number!

It amazes me how people on both sides of this game can be so obviously ignorant to the real world. This is no game for people without common sense!

I think you should help your fellow hobbiest and ID the lady in question, especially if she is "high end" - what she did is very dangerous and I for one would like to avoid her. At least offer to PM guys as I can understand posting her name in public may not be a great idea.

Second, a "high end" lady that is "new to the scene"?? Doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

Third, she should not accept checks - as you said.

As to your personal info, while I think most providers are careful with our info you need to be aware that not all of them are. It is part of the risk in the hobby, amongst many other risks.

This happened a few weeks ago:

"Provider X" and her boyfriend go to the CVS to buy some stuff. While Provider X is taking a look at shampoos, her boyfriend, who has no clue of what she really does for a living, nor that her stage name is "Provider X", is checking out a shampoo for him as well, just a few steps away on the same aisle.
A client of Provider X walks by her and recognizes her.
He says:
- Hi Provider X, how are you?
Provider X immediatelly turns and recognizes the indiscreet guy and (in shock, but trying to remain calm) replies:
- I am fine, but my name is not Provider X. You've confused me with someone else.
Provider X turns to the items in the shelf, thinking this will make him realize what he did and go away.
For her surprise, he goes:
- Oh, you don't remember me. I am John, we met in Cambridge like 10 days ago.
At this time Provider X's boyfriend is fuming and walking in her direction asking:
- Who is this guy hunny, any problems?
Finally the guy realizes what he did, apologizes and goes away after saying that it was a mistake!


-----------


I don't know why he did this and I can't believe how dumb he was.
What would have happened to me if I did this to a client when he were with his wife and kids.
I came across clients a couple of times and I never say nothing, I always pretend I don't know them unless they say "hi" to me.
If I did this I would've probably been outed on all the boards and God knows what else...
This event ruined my relationship because my boyfriend saw the looks on his face when he approached. He didn't believe on my excuses and dug up the truth and guess what?!?!?! He found out I was also Provider X and never talked to me again!

---------------------------


I felt the need to post my story just to remind some Gents that discretion & respect goes both ways.
I've heard similar stories from other girls and I think things like this SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING!
It's not because we do what we do that the whole world must know about it.
We have friends, family, kids, boyfriends, husbands and other people whom we hide the truth from JUST LIKE YOU.

Probably not his check anyway.  If she was silly enough to accept a check (paper trail) and show you she probably didn't do a proper verification.

I totally agree with what you've said about respecting confidentiality but remember you guys also have some responsibility.

If you play with fire then you will get burnt-unfortunately. ;(

I retain nothing but verify only to be safe.  I don't even use other providers for verification purposes unless I know them well.  What happens with KJB and friends stays between us and the walls (and oh if they could talk).

This will fall on deaf ears (because too many of you guys think with the little head) but stick with UTR ladies who are lower volume.  I am not going to rehash my personal business model, but I will say there are some of us out here that are not running a factory.  Touring is all fine and dandy but traveling means making the bottom line which equates to lots of visits from gentlemen.  Lots of reviews=lots of visits from gentlemen.  You are not just a number with the UTR ladies, and there are MANY of us to choose from.  I still don't get the revolving door thing and guys  willing to be the next in line-yuck.  Like incalls are being watched these days (hello?).

Remember to be smart about your choices.  If it looks too good then..  The recession has brought out more odd ducks on both sides.

Please respect our privacy as well.  

Caveat emptor gentlemen...

Hugs and happy hobbying,

Kate

I posted something a couple of weeks ago, which no one seemed to have read because there was a four day backlog of postings hitting the bulletin board all at once...but...twice in the past month, a provider that is on this board all the time (M.B.) sent out an email to 100 people, with everyone's names and work/personal emails showing. This is no joke.  Fortunately for me, I have an email account just for hobbying, but there were names of people and companies, etc.  I was shocked when it happened the first time; the second time was too much.  At that point, I thought she should hand in her provider's  license.  Anyone else share my outrage, and think that this young lady might want to find another line of work?  You were worried here about one check and one other person; this was 100 names x 100 recipients.