Why do some providers try to direct you to a web site instead of just giving a phone number? A girl on backpage wants me to go to www.datesoandso.com to be "verified" before I can get her phone number. From the pictures provided she seems very attractive (if it's really her) but her rates seem low. ($150/hr). What's wrong with this picture?

If you have to pay on this web site to be verified it's a scam. Date Check P411 and RS2000
are honest verification sites. If an escort doesn't give a contact ph# she should at least have an email address for contact. It's just a personal preference. Good luck and get a ter vip membership, it's worth the money.

Its a scam, if she is really a true provider she would've given you her number, no true provider will send you to a date or what ever site. Its probably the site doing the scam or some old hag making money off commissions. Don't bother with these ones look for a well reviewed provider and have lots of fun.

They do advertise very nice lookin ladies with no phone numbers.  And they say "to get my phone number" you have to register .. and give your credit card.  Most likely, the communication venue is via email, chat or IM.

Most likely, you may be dealing with an ugly dude who stole the photos of a young lady. In short, you're communication via Email or IM talking to this person, who may be an ugly fat dude hungry for your credit card and money. I'm certain the turd is not the sexy girl in the picture.

I once ask why the need for this, and the scammer said "a man tried to force his way once and I want to be protected".  To which I said "So, a serial killer with a stolen credit card can have your phone number as long as he enters the credit card info and have immediate acess to your phone number.  Stop Scamming!"

The other line got pissed and told me "go away idiot".  Hahaha ... I pissed him off.

NEVER give up your Credit Card Number!  

BTW, anyone offering below market rates is likely a scam, upsell or lesser time or service.  
I stay away from "bargain rates" as I think LE stings tend to offer bargains to guys who can not think with their big head.
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I chatted once with someone via IM who eventually wanted me to go another site to pay to get verified.  That was the end of that conversation.

The best advice I can give is that you should never give your info to an unknown entity.  I would imagine that this site has a fee and the option to pay via credit card or some other direct withdrawal means.  So basicly you will have given them your name, address, phone and bank account or credit card info.  Not a wise move.

Or perhaps, given the "iffy nature of the provider ad ($150/hr) you may just be sending your prescreening to the boys in blue to assist them in charging you with solicitation?

Be smart.  There are three well known, respectable, prescreening sites that I know of.  They are Preferred 411, Datecheck and RoomService 2000.  There may be others that I am not aware of.

Never,EVER give out a credit card number period. I ALWAYS make first contact via phone. I stay away from website verification forms unless I am sure the girl is 100% legit. I also try and not email for first contact too. I like to keep the internet history trail to a minimum. When I make the first initial call I get a good scene of who she is. Next, If I can't find TER reviews of her.. No date. Period..

Here is a good tool to spot fake pics on the BP. You'll be surprised that the "looks to good to be true" pic is really a fake or stolen.

Tineye reverse image look-up. If the pic was stolen or is being used on some other website, Tineye will tell you. It works.. Try it.

SR

If not then she wants you to join a site to prove you are not le.I do it too with guys who have no references. Unless they would prefer to give me their work info for verification.