For the purposes of the hobby i would say, in some cases at least, it doesn't really matter.  If someone goes to the trouble of creating a phony name and email address there is really no work-around for that. If the guy is interested in seeing a provider however at some point he has to provide real-world information for screening purposes. If the provider in question is willing to forgo that real-world info she is placing herself in peril.  That is the one part of the equation that she has control over.  

Of course, con artists can go to a lot of trouble to create a fake identity. I would surmise that identity theft is not out of the realm of possibility.  This brings us to plan B: Trust your gut.

Trusting your gut...another girl was killed this week, in florida, I think...4 bodies in Long Island id'd as prostitutes...we see this kind of thing happen way too much.
Answer to the OP's question, all we can do is try to screen and verify. That doesn't mean that you are going to get a lot of cooperation. The poster's on some boards actively discourage giving references or identification of any kind.
Even with references, you need to listen to your gut.

A recent communication with one of our escorts dealt with the problems of determining who a person actually was as opposed to whom they are making believe they are. She pointed out that in this era of the Internet it is easy for a person to assume or create a new persona or identity. She felt that this person was trying to “scam” her but she preferred not to get into the details. So the question remains, how do we know when we are contracted by John Pierpont Peckerhead, if he is the real peckerhead or just another shithead making believe? Your suggestion would be appreciated and I apologize for the lack of other info so use you imagination........

The way to verify if someone is actually an established hobbyist here on TER is to contact them by TER PM.  Of course they have to be VIP members for this to work.

You can do all the screening you want. If someone wants to scam you (like LE), they can set up fake everything (just like the CIA/NSA/etc). The question is whether it is worth their effort.

If you don't like screening newbies, then don't. Some ladies will call his employer (discretely) to validate him. Check the phone book to match his number/address. etc.

If you only see established Johns, then you might or might not know who he is. But, the lady vouching for him will tell you if john at yahoo.com is a creep or an ok guy that likes you to spank him. That is harder to fake if you only take references from ladies you can trust (ladies you know of, etc.).

"If the guy is interested in seeing a provider however at some point he has to provide real-world information for screening purposes."

We live in the technology age, it is simple for a guy to create a false identity without much trouble.

It is not difficult to pass a screening process with false information and a guy does not have to provide "real-world" information about himself if he does not want to in order to see a provider.

All the databases that providers use to screen only go so far. They only verify the information you input. They can't tell if the data entered is true or false as it pertains to the guy supplying said information. Many smart guys turnaround and use this information in public databases to their advantage.

At the end of the day, a provider pretty much has to make a judgment call regarding the information provided to her for screening is accurate or inaccurate based on her risk tolerance.

I think we are pretty much saying the same thing.  If you read my entire post I fully acknowledge the fact that if someone wants to create a false identity they can.  Is it easy? In my opinion it's not since obtaining a phony driver's license is costly and actually a much more serious offense than hiring an escort is.  

You are also assuming that all providers only use one of the accepted verification services for screening and call it a day. That simply isn't true.  In fact, I see two UTR's that use no service, they do all of their research from scratch.  That includes getting verifiable employment information and actually verifying it as well as requiring references and a valid driver's license.  

To a certain extent, how safe you are depends on how hard you want to work at it.

is not whether the person's legal moniker is John Pierpoint Pennypacker or whatever--it is whether the body that comes into your room is attached to a spirit that behaves in a gentlemanly way. That is to say, he will not beat you, rob you, or arrest you.

The best way to assess that spirit, it seems to me, is by references. If well reviewed, known providers (and I would suggest that it ought to be two or three) can vouch for the spirit of Mr. Pennypacker, that is far more secure and reliable than any other of the typical sources requested--especially employment: can be faked easily, and the real info can only lead to bad things. Like people losing jobs and no longer being able to afford hobbying with you.

I recently griped about screening requirements on the DC board. There are people I would love to meet, but when they require forms that request full legal name, board handles, references, employment information, mother's maiden name and social security number--all in a handy one-document package, I have to scratch my head and think twice. As much as I burn to see them.

That will scare you.. ( ladies) When I first got into this business. I started with an agency. A very well known/somewhat respected  agency. I was told to always, always check ID.

So I have a date and I asked to check his ID. He said to me I have never had this happen. I call the agency and Tell her what is going on. She seems confused. I tell him go get your ID or you have to leave. I knew and she verified that he had seen many girls with the agency in the past.  He does go get his ID and explains to me he really wants to see me but he is important blah, blah, blah.. No one can know his name. I still see him to this day. but it was a lession I will never forget...

Screen, screen, screen........ This little world is a scary one as it is. but, it is my job to do the best I can and no less to make sure I am seeing who I think I am seeing...