First and foremost thank you to all contributors for their patience and information. I'm probably overthinking this whole thing but still have questions. If I google a backpage providers number and it simply references ads for service which were picked up on other sites is that good or bad? What would be my optimal google return to provide confidence and what kind of return should spark skepticism? Also, I'm wondering how many guys gain access to the "juicy details" by providing erroneous reviews on providers with no reviews for ages. It's not a money issue, but cash transactions are less messy.  Yes, know and respect that ter reviewed ladies are the way to go.  I'm unreviewed and 45 min from where ter providers seem to be.

You can buy vip with gift cards, so check which vendors are accepted and buy a gift card from that vendor with cash. Now you have access to the juicy details via a cash transaction.  

Also, I think it is worth it to drive 45 minutes to see a reliable provider if you are new.

and not a bevy of other providers, then it's all good.  
Often a number search will tie up some kind of agency that has one number for many gals.

Some ad sites are known to simply reprint ads and pics that they literally steal from other sites. When BP had to shut down months ago when Master Card / Visa cut them off, another site quickly cloned their ads but I think that site is now shut down. BP currently is not a primary target for robotic theft / cloning of ads, I don't think. But what does this mean ...?  

The occurrence of the same phone number - name - pic combo on multiple sites is not necessarily a collection of independent ad placements. It could be one ad illegally or deceptively cloned by other sites trying to get more traffic, more clicks and more revenue from advertisers.  It will depend on WHERE you find the multiple occurrences. Eros does not steal from BP, so the ad on Eros and BP are independent ads, deliberately placed. Etc. For me, the optimal result would be a bunch of different ads with different names and pictures, easily convincing me to look elsewhere. It is much easier to prove a bad choice than to prove that you have made a good, safe choice. Yes, some reviews are fake, submitted by fakers to get their 15 days of VIP. Huh? I assume that you are paid VIP. If not, you can quickly get VIP access using an anonymous Gift Card. Sign up for 30-50 days or whatever is  most convenient.

I still recommend that you start with Recent Reviews for your closest geographic area, even if it's 45 minutes away. What the heck, with VIP you can enter any LOCATION (Country = USA; City = All Cities; Location = (your actual city or neighborhood)). E.g., in New York, "Brooklyn" or "White Plains" or "Chelsea" are not cities on the list of cities. However, if the reviewer included that detail in his Review Form, you will get hits specifically for those non-listed locations.  

Watch your closest Ad Board for recent ads. See if anyone you're interested in is "Newbie Friendly."  

Maybe not what you want to hear, but be patient and don't let your little head overrule your big head

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45 minutes isn't very far. I am a half hour or more away from where most of the providers end up in my state (downtown in one of the big cities or near the major airport). If there happens to be traffic it could take me an hour or more. Not a big deal.