Saw a couple of very cute provider ads recently, but they are not on TER and don't respond to questions about reviews, or if they are new. What do you generally find in this situation? It could be just a simple bait and switch, and it could be LE. Any anecdotals would be appreciated!!
For now I am sticking with known providers, plus one russian traveler next weekend!

So I assume you are fairly new to all of this.   If you are not getting any responses from these 'cute' providers, suggest you move on.  They probably aren't worth it.  Until you have a lot more experience, stick to well-reviewed providers.  You will have much better luck.

Swim

The first thing to check on a profile is the pictures: Are the picts HER?  Are the picts a good representation of her?  The cute pictures you are looking at might not even be her!   If there are good pictures which are of her, are there a variety of poses & angles so taken in total you can see all of her?

With out a profile, you do not know if she provided as promised.  There are scams beyond Bait & Switch...  too many to list.

THEN you get into the reviews.  I discount the first one, unless by an experienced reviewer, because first reviews are hard to verify & often later reviewers report a different experience...  like first reviewer reports a BBBJ, subsequent reviewers get a CBJ.  First reviewer reports DFK, later reviewer reports LFK if at all.  For this reason "well reviewed providers"  6-10 reviews with some experienced reviewers.  

This is a common recommendation for newbies & even experienced clients who are risk adverse.   Really, I recommend you start with recent TER reviews for your area.  The ads can be on any venue, follow the links.  At this point, you'll need VIP to read the full reviews but by then you have narrowed the field.  
skb

no encounter. Why take a chance with an unreviewed provider when you are still wet behind the ears. Not sure I'd see the one Russian traveler unless she has reviews.