In this thread -  http://www.theeroticreview.com/discussion_boards/viewmsg.asp?MessageID=197194&boardID=6&page=1 - on the DC Board, a provider discusses being asked about a hobbyist.

My first thought was that it might be LE fishing for info.

Thoughts?

but LE is certainly one possibility.

Perhaps the guy wants to get some info on another gal and wants to use this guy as a source.

There could be many things.

You advice is spot on.  We have to be careful never to share information with someone we know nothing about.

It could be LE, seeing if she is stupid enough to incriminate herself. It could also be his wife wanting more details to skewer him with.

through the TER handle.  It's probably innocent enough but even if ok, it's better to decline.  It could be LE, a PI or a wife!!  

Just like a call for verification, should give out nothing without checking with the client.
skb

Speaking of DC, there is a "Brazilian" Provider who states that she accepts Date-Check. So, I contacted her via my date-Check account.
Without telling me, she proceeded to contact 3 of my lady vouchers [among 7].
Since they did not know her, they [wisely] denied knowing me, but they were none too pleased!
The ladies called me out for not giving them a heads-up.
One lady explained that she does not give personal references, as that IS the purpose of Date-Check.
Well, I had a lot of apologizing to do, through no fault of my own.
After all this, the Brazilian declined seeing me--just as well. Avoid.

Sorry, but your comments make no sense.
Date-Check exists to obviate contacting personal references.
Otherwise, why should a provider [or a hobbyist] join Date-Check if a prospective date needs personal 'confirmation" from the vouching ladies?
Date-Check would then be a waste of time and money.

In addition, if she simply wants references, it is normal protocol for the guy to contact his references first, so that she is prepared, and does not give any revealing info to an unknown caller [ie. wife, SO, LE etc.]

It would have been easy to verify if the lady was "ok" or not since she was a member of date-check.  .  

Any woman who gives an OK on a verification site, should expect to be contacted from time to time and should comply without permission given from the hobbyist, this is what verification sites are for...

....the lady should NOT advertise that she 'accepts' Date-Check.
She does NOT accept it, but wants actual personal references.
If this pattern is widespread, Date-Check is a total waste.

Most ladies know to introduce themselves and include a link to their info to prove they are legit when asking for a reference.  

Everyone screens, and uses screening resources differently.  No one should ever assume that because some people do things one way, that is the way all do it.    

I absolutely have contacted providers directly that have vouched for a prospective client to ask questions if I feel it is important or necessary.  If I have a concern I am fleshing out, I am most certainly NOT going to tell the client I contacted the girl, as I would not want to put her on the hot seat if I decided not to see him after we spoke.  

xoM

A reference check or an okay is sometimes confirmed.  Why would a lady be offended and take it out on the hobbyist?  She can just tell the lady who asked they don't do personal references or not
respond.
Also when a lady is busted, Uncle LEo tries to get all passwords and info from sites they are a member of.  
And isn't DC one place where we need to be especially careful?

...when a provider sends a note for the reference she typically does so fom her work e-mail account and includes her verification info so we know it's not someone's wife or GF.  I find it a PITA but it doesn't bother me to reconfirm someone I have already vouched for.

You better believe I don't hesitate to reconfirm on Date check or P411 clients. This is especially true when the  OK given for a client is over a year old. In addition, no offense intended, there are a few providers on both of those boards that scare me. I am very reference friendly, and I would hope others would be as well.

Its silly that those other providers got upset.

I'm paid for discretion.

My policy is on the frontpage of my website..  I dont give out any information on a guy unless he knows about the request.

9 times out of 10, he didn't put me down as a reference and girl gets mad because I told him someone was asking.

About a half a dozen times, the guy had never even contacted the legit provider asking me for his reference AT ALL.

She just got my name off of reviews, or a verification site ok and who knows why she wanted me to confirm I had seen seen him but I don't feel like it's anyone's business but mine and his, until he tells me different.   Wanting information doesnt mean you are entitled to it.

Just like any other professional who is expected to keep client information confidential,  I'm not releasing information without an authorization.    How would you feel if some random "legit" doctor contacted your doctor for your records and your doctor checked him out, made sure he was legit and then he just handed over your records without consulting you ?   It's absolutely unacceptable.

Personally, I would not EVER entrust my personal safety to some random girl, legit provider or not.
Let's forget she's the competition and this is a cut-throat industry plagued by criminals with questionable judgement and a high rate of drug abuse...   Even if she's got good intentions and she's a good source of information,  I've seen great clients get destructive on other providers... .. i've seen legit client accounts get hijacked by le....

The only guarentee is me.... I dont break the law and any dude who thinks he's going to mess with me is going to have a worse day than me.

I can afford to post bond with all the money I make from guys with no references.   Actually I've never needed to post bond because I have no criminal record and get released without it..   My case will get dismissed because I know the law and don't break it and going to jail for a few hours and a couple of court appearances every couple of years takes alot less time than checking references.

I thought the reference system (aka the evidence system)  was asinine 6 years ago and I've only seen that confirmed over and over again.   I ask a guy who his references are because it wigs them out if you don't, but it can really only hurt his chances of seeing me.

I might be unorthodox but it's been working ok doke for me.
read mario cuomo.
you dont engage in activity that will convict you and your clients and your fellow providers (keeping records) just to try to avoid arrest.

This really ain't rocket science...even the discretion part.