...only provide a phone number. An email address is essential. This way we can discuss any questions/conerns I have plus it gives me time to formulate my thoughts as opposed to a phone conversation where everything is pretty much bang, bang. And if you don't get a reply to your email then you know she either is not real or not interested inproviding  what you want.

Stick to well reviewed gals for now.

You ought to try doing a tin-eye search on her photos and see what comes up.

That's one way to avoid the TGTBT types.

Additionally, if you do not have VIP membership here, get it now!  Without it, you can't read all the necessary information on providers' profiles to make a good choice.  Next, read the self help center, the link is under the life preserver at the top of this page.  

Generally speaking, BP is not the best place to be trolling for providers.  If you cannot find any reviews somewhere, move on.  If you got no response to your email to her, that is not a good sign.  If you join Preferred411, a verification site, their providers can indicate if they are newbie friendly, which will be a big help to you also.

Bottom line, stick to well-reviewed providers with plenty of reviews by established reviewers.  At least until you have some experience in analyzing providers.

Swim

or other review sites.  If none of those links exist, no matter how good the pix are, leave her to the vets.  Odds are she's a B&S, ROB or LE.

Because if you follow his good advice the probability of you dealing with a wholly effete, LE display of their omnipresent authority is infinitesimal.