If the search shows "no reviews have been posted by this member," could it be an alias?
A potential client gave me his handle, but when I search by his email, a different name with no reviews shows up... not sure what to make of it.

then the lack of an envelope by the name tells you that it is an alias.

Not sure if there is any other definitive way to tell.

If the name has been used to post a message, you can tell by the way the name appears in the message. If the name on the post is blue and you can click it to send a message, it is NOT an alias. If the name is black and you can't click it, it is an alias.

If the name has not been used to post any messages or reviews, I do not know how to test. You could send a PM to the name asking for a response. If you get a response, it is not an alias. Not too helpful, I know.

You still can't read or send PMs unless you have VIP status.

Still doesn't answer the OPs question.  She has limited VIP status.  Have him send you a PM?

and I just checked and sure enough, when an alias is used there is no envelope.

So, if you go on to the classic, that will still be a way to determine if a name is an alias.

This has been a bit of confusion to me, I am wondering why us newbies to the board can receive messages from people, but you need VIP to read them. I understand the need to sell the website message, but my only concern is that I have received 6 or 7 messages and cannot reply, I don't want anybody thinking I'm rude and ignoring them.