If you are going to hobby via the internet you are going to leave some sort of a cyber footprint no matter how hard you try.  The real question would be does anyone really care about following that trail.  The answer, for the most part, is no.  If you go looking for trouble you can certainly find it but most of the time, on the internet, trouble is related to financial issues, not escorting issues. Most of the high profile cases revolve around where the money went, not the sex acts. Keep it low profile, pay cash and, if you are a high level corporate type don't be stupid enough to use company funds, phones or email to conduct your hobbying business.

The fact is you stand a much better chance of being busted for your actions live and in person than you do for anything you post on the internet.  Choose well reviewed providers who conduct their business intelligently and discreetly. Behave in a likewise manner.  In other words, keep it all low profile.

The only way to maintain complete radar silence is to look for streetwalkers and that presents a whole lot more problems than it solves.

I'm a newbie and anonymity is a must.  First, who knows where the TER are servers located?  I am in the Washington, DC area and wonder if my info would ever be subject to LE actions against TER.  Second, if I use total anonymity with providers in that I know they don''t know my real name, always use cash, a hobby phone and yahoo email account, is my IP address exposing me to LE probes or other sites (such as provider sites) getting my identity?  Third, has LE ever used IP addresses to get info for busts?   Thanks.

It is hard to maintain total anonymity with the better ladies. Most will want to know your name for screening purposes. If you are new, it is even tougher. A lot of established guys can get away without disclosing personal info, but the pool of available ladies is smaller.

I believe it is getting harder to be anonymous with a hobby phone. I believe the phone companies want to know who you are before they will activate the phone.

If LE really wants to get you, yes, they will try to use your IP address to find you. Use something like anonymizer.com to hid your tracks.

TER servers are in Holland where providing is legal.  On the other hand, violent crimes like murder are crimes in both countries.  

Do not use work equipment or internet to access adult sites.
Do not use credit cards anywhere you should not be (say buying gas or a meal).  
Do not use EZ pass somewhere you should not be.
Gradually increase your pocket cash from income & setting asside until play time.  Do not line up withdrawals with hobbying.  
skb

Thanks for your advice.  I didn't specify that I don't need/want FS right now.  I'm happy with massages and the PV experience, neither of which demands full identity.  I found someone on TER who gives great massages and endings and who has about 10 reviews.  She turned out to be exactly as reviewed and I think she's a great find.  The PV experience is at a very discreet location and this particular PV place has been around for a while.  I feel safe using that.  I may want to go up a level to the FS world but I feel that would require revealing my identity and I'll deal with that if/when it happens.  I might get a cheap laptop and only use it for hobbying at places with wifi to calm my newbie nerves.  

Does anyone know where TER is located?  Or where their servers are?  More curious than worried.

I believe the Virgin Mobile phone can still be purchases anonymously.  I did it two months ago and doubt things have changed.  I paid cash ($40, plus $5 for some air time) and my name was never entered anywhere.  In fact, my name was never provided at all during the transaction.  No address, either.  Zip code only.

Yes, I bought a Verizon phone at Target and buy minutes a 7-11.  My name was never asked for or given.  Much easier as I was trying to use pay phones before that, which was a pain since I had a hard time finding them and then finding one that was private.

I also bought a Verizon hobby phone at best buy. Paid in cash never entered any personal information at all.

Have you seen the sheer volume of escort service websites?  Why would LE bother trying to track you, in particular, down?  You know how hard it is for them to track you down through your IP address?  It's not worth it.  Let's face it, in this day and age, no one cares.  LE is more interested in kiddie fuckers than adults getting together.  Be as anonymous as you'd like, but no one is looking for you.

#1) If you need to be totally secretive you have already screwed up. Once you involve anyone other than yourself you do not have a secret.
#2) You sound as though you have much at risk if your hobby was to be exposed. Rethink your hobby.
#3) No matter how you want to rationalize or justify what you are doing, it is ILLEGAL doing illegal things usually come with some level of repercussion.
#4) You are probably an intelligent fellow. Do you think you are immune from trouble? Do the name Clinton and Spitzer and scores of other high flying individuals ring a bell?
#5) Man are you not aware if you are as important as you believe you may be that there will be people willing to set you up for a fall? Common Man , think.
All my bullshit aside, it is a lot of fun. There are beautiful, intelligent people to meet out here doing this. But man there are risks. My best advice is to act normal as possible and not let on that you have a lot to loose, that kind of fear is sensed just like blood in the water, the sharks will close in fast and this wonderful experience could become a nightmare.

Just an old fat fuck with an opinion.

That should go in the newbie manual.  Nothing beats a bit of the hard truth.

IP address was one tool used in the search for the Craigs List Killer.  Narrowed the search to a single building.  (Was cross referanced with security footage & other information.)  

Lacking a high profile felony, IP addresses or security footage would not be useful.  It's not illegal (in most locations) to view adult sites.  It's not illegal to enter a hotel.  

I'm sure there is more in The Legal Corner but in most jurisdictions, a LEO must witness the misdeanor to have a case (unless the person confesses).  So one person in the room must be a LEO.  You must NOT get into a room with LE.  The best safty plan available is a well reviewed lady.  
skb

The phone was activated at the Radio Shack where I bought it and I'm sure I did not provide a name at any time during the process.  I think I may have provided a zip code, but no other info.

My phone was activated by calling Verizon on my hobby phone and a computer voice told me what the phone number is.  I buy extra minutes at 7-11.  I've never had anyone ask for a name.  

just be smart about your browsing on your end... or in otherwords dont do something stupid like browse TER at work where they likely monitor your usage.  Also use a separate email address from others that have links to your real identity.
The likelihood of LE forcing a site to give up IPs and then forcing an ISP to give up the users behind those IPs is pretty much 0.

Very good and useful information. thx.