To give some idea of what I mean:

For 30+ years I hobbyied without the aid of the internet and TER, just seeing gals in MPs and also answering ads in the personal section of the weekly papers and even using the Yellow Pages.

I must have had over 300 dates and never came close to LE.

So, the law of averages protects you as much as anything, but do stick with the safe providers in any case.

I have been wondering about that because I imagine they would make a much tempting target than indies.

I wasn't quite as prolific, but did have several encounters with providers, or hookers, back in the day.  I had one very close call.  Walked into a very typical hotel in Santa Monica, so no red flags there.  Then I see this gal and she's dressed in a 50's dress and has a big bouffant hairdo.  We were talking and I could feel her vibe, which was nervous and not at all comfortable.  Well, that was enough for me, so I told her thanks but I had to go.  She was attractive with really nice breasts, so don't think I didn't want her.  But my instinct told be to bail.  Sure enough as I open the door 3 LE outside with guns nearly drawn.  One tried to stand in my way as I was leaving her apt.  I side stepped him and said I didn't do anything wrong.  I continued walking and was praying that they weren't going to follow me or arrest me.  

As soon as I got in my car, my heart was beating a mile a minute.  I swore never ever ever to hobby again.  Hahahahahahahaha!

...you have to be cautious of seeing girls from Russian agencies.  I love Eastern European women.  They are flat out hot super models.  But there was recently a sting operation at the apartment complex in Santa Monica (very common for hobby activity).  Turns out the Russian agency was run by a nefarious couple that was using the Russian gals as sex slaves.  Who knew?  This happened a couple of months ago and was in the news.  My point is that even if these girls were well reviewed and even if you trust the agency, it doesn't mean a sting operation can't happen.  And it doesn't mean you can't be in the middle of it.

That's why I think it's so important for both you and the provider to follow the basic rules, like not talking about sex acts on the phone or email.  Using terms like Roses, instead of money.  And never handing them your "donation", but rather having it in an envelope and discretely placing it somewhere where she can see it.

But let's face it.  Until you leave or she leaves, you really never know.  But I agree that the chances are very low.  We would all be flagging it on this site if it ever happened I'm sure.

Do you think LE flipped her or it's a sting op? Either way, that was too close for comfort.

One of the reasons over the years I've seen a lot of pornstars (besides the other obvious ones) is that you can be pretty sure when you get to Claire Dames' room, she's not a cop!  

That said, there are various places where the vice squads are very active and there's not a doubt in my mind that they are well aware of this site and are on here!  As noted above by others, the more reviews a girl has, the less likely you are to have problems.  If you really want to get into, look at how many other reviews the authors have written.  If they have 5 or more, you're probably not looking at LE.  There's not a cop on the planet who'd be ambitious enough to write more than that!

Saying "roses" or "donation", not handing them the cash or envelope, having disclaimers on the web ad, verbal statements not to be "affiliated with law enforcement", LE check gropes* are ALL MYTHS.  None of these are effective protection or have legal weight.   If you can understand the euphamism (roses, GFE, etc) for a sex act and a payment, and you can understand the means of exchange (leaving an envelope on the dresser) then so can LEO and so can a "reasonable person" under the law, and you've solicited prostitution.  Plus Cops don't care about neat standards of proof for low level crimes like prostitution busts.   If you enter the room with LE, no matter what you say or do after that, you will be arrested, jailed, and get a record.   All effective precautions happen prior to showing up.

* a lady cop won't want to let guys grope her tits and pussy, so doing so is proof she's not a cop...BUT..if she is a cop, you'll already be arrested prior to groping her. Cops are allowed to grope, lady cops just won't want to on average.

Many people use and swear by agencies, and there are good reasons for them.  However, an agency is always going to have a bull's eye on their backs because they are a nice target for LE.

Even if the agency swears up and down that they don't keep client information, I won't sleep nights if I hear that some agency I used got busted.  

I'd be waiting for the phone to ring and some cop asking me to come downtown to clear up a few things.

Ain't gonna happen.

How do you know if she has not been flipped and is helping LE to set up a sting op? That's my concern.  It seems to me UTR (with 5+ reviews) indies is the way to go.

I agree with you 100% that agency represents too nice a target for LE, but I am not concerned about the info that they may have on me. I have only provided my personal info to P411. I didn't need to provide them to the agency for screening. I haven't pull my trigger in seeing their providers. I don't even think LE will go after each and every individual, but they might publish agency's client list; therefore, it would be unwise to provide your real name to agency and trust them to destroy it. It may become a valuable bargaining chip for them. I am more worry that LE will bust down the door and storm in during my session. Logically, I know it's highly unlikely, but I just can't get rid of that image from my mind. I know the most likely way for LE to go after agency successfully will be their tax issues, same way they got El Capone.

If the cops "flip" a provider, they would need to set up a location to monitor and supply the manpower to run the operation. A VERY expensive endeavor. Involving civilians in a police operation is also extremely risky and a potential disaster waiting to happen. They are then at the mercy of the clients making an appointment to see her. Do you honestly believe the police are going to sit at a hotel or some other incall location for day after day to POSSIBLY make a minor arrest a few times a day? Most stings are done to make the maximum amount of arrests as quickly as possible. Simple cost/benefit analysis. Of course, I'm sure anything can and does happen occasionally.

BTW, a lady with 5+ reviews here is far from UTR. A profile is really nothing more than a glorified ad available to anyone to see for free.

While the subject comes up alot that all the disclaimers perotecting you are myths, and it is probalby true that they will not protect you in court, I still think it is a little better to speak in vague terms, instead of being blunt. I would still rather pay for time and companionship, than for a blow job and a fuck. At least there is a little bit of plausible deniability. There is always the acting dumb defense. "I realy wanted to just spend time with her." And while it won't totally protect you, I can't imagine it would make things worse if you do get arrested.

Also this might be a regional thing but it obviously works in some areas because here is an actual quote from an actual news story, quoting the police:

"bringing prostitution charges against them (escort services) is difficult.
The services are able to pre-screen customers and are well versed in the fine points of the law. The websites offer what is referred to as a 'GFE' (girl friend experience) and use code words such as 'roses' when referring to cash payments."

The term UTR has been used in some strange ways lately. UTR to me means zero reviews, NO public ads or websites. You find her by word of mouth, and possibly by membership only type secure websites.

You are correct, PS, and I sometimes give bad advice on this site in this situation as well. If you show up at a sting operation, you WILL be arrested 99.99% of the time. However, being arrested for a crime and being convicted are light years apart.

I represent guys for DUI all the time. The ones who refuse the sobriety test and breathalizer even Capricornus could get off with a reckless driving charge. The less evidence you supply the better, and better the likelihood you walk away unscathed.

That's what I do.

Prostitution is a misdemeanor in most places.  The punishment is a fine, and maybe John School in most places.  You are tried by a Judge who's seen and heard it all, and you can't deter prosection any more than you can deter prosecution for traffic offenses, because they don't put any work in:- line 'em up for their 5 min with the judge and let the cops present whatever marginal evidence, assembly line style.

Yes, if you are a Pimp/ Escort Service Manager, or a working girl, then worrying about trial proof and placing a slightly higher burden on the prosecution matter.  If you are a John, the ARREST is the punishment.  If you are a MARRIED John,  the ARREST is definately the main punishment.  Being tricky to avoid being found guilty like its an attempted murder trial are besides the point.

So, I'll ammend.  Euphamisms, gropes, and all the other attempts to be oh so clever and tricky are MYTHS for avoiding the real dange to Hobbiests, getting Arrested, and very scant protection against anything else.