This is my first post after lurking these boards for quite awhile and then deciding to join VIP. I know this a loaded post, but there are several questions that remain unanswered to me...

1. Do you give your full name during introduction? Assuming that you're leaving a voicemail or email (which is the case most of the time), will this increase your chance of a reply?

2. Do you ask her about screening *on first contact*? In other words, can you openly ask her about what personal info she requires, or bring up P411/ Datecheck ? It kinda defeats the whole purpose of staying discreet.

3. How often during their screening do they ask for your work place and number? Do most attempt to call you on this number, or can you work out another way? Although I'm a newbie with no references, I don't intend on "hobbying" much and would rather be screened once or twice than shell out for these verification sites.

4. Do you think the information the provider collects is safer in her hands than in an agency's? She might know where I work FFS! If LE busted her in the future or you pissed her off for some reason, can your info be made public? How often does this happen, as this could be very damaging for my career as a professional.

1.  it is not common to give full name during an introduction.  As part of the screening process, the lady will probably request your full name since you have no references.
2.  I do not see any problem in asking about her screening information requirements on first contact.
3.  With no references and no verification sites, there is a high probability that the lady will ask for your work place and number.  Some providers ask for HOME phone even if you have references and verification sites!  The screening process has run amok.
4.  The info that you provide is safer in provider's hands than in an agency's hands, because there is a much higher probability that an agency will be busted than a provider.  It is much more easier and more politically savvy for LE to bust a prostitution ring than to bust an individual provider.  If LE busts the provider or you piss her off some reason, the provider will often release your info to LE or the media.  Also, it sometimes happens that a provider will blackmail the hobbyist.  As a rule of thumb, assume that if it is advantageous for provider to out you, she will.  There is no nothing similar to doctor-patient or clergyman-parishoner confidentiality in this hobby.

1)  I do not give my full name during the first contact, but will do so if asked when she follows up.  I will give my first name, as it's also on my P411 profile.
2) I always first contact a provider via e-mail.  I give my first name, my p411 and Date-Check profile IDs and the fact that I have 4 "OKs" on each site so she'll know I've got good references.  I add that I"ll be happy to give her more info if she requires it.
3)  Not all gals ask for work info in their follow up.  I'm retired, so it doesn't matter.  Besides, once they have my P411 and Date-Check info that becomes less relevant.
4)  Is your info totally safe?  No.  There are no guarantees in this sport.  But if you want to play, you have little choice.

A:  Yes, along with my screening profile information and discrete cell phone number.  I want a call back, I don't want them to have to ask me a bunch of questions.  I want to set a date, a time, a location and go meet the girl.  Granted, I am a very busy man, I don't have time to play 20 questions, neither do the girls.    Now they can take the time to call the screening company(s), reference(s), anything else they may want to do, on their time schedule, and then get back to me for a brief (emphasis on the BRIEF) conversation.  
A: I have had a girl or three call my work number.  I believe they did so only to get a receptionist and have the call transfered to me.  This annoys my company's receptionist to no end, but it is a valid way to check to see you work where you say you work.  (Not a great way, but valid.)  Personally, this is why I used a verification agency when I returned to the hobby.  It certainly is easier than saying it was your neice calling!  Or whatever you use as an excuse.  (No, I cannot use the excuse they are a client of mine because my clients all have my direct lines and wouldn't bother wasting the company receptionists time..hell, if I'm in my office, there's a problem!  Probably that I will be fired soon, unless I find something to do outside of the office!!!)A: This is not a safe hobby.  There are VDs, LEs, dumb companions (ie, not discrete!), the risk of your SO finding out, the risk your boss finds out....  Seriously, if you want to be "safe" and keep your information private, may I suggest stamp collecting?

However, I am not overly worried about the discretion of the girls.  
*  First, you can check them out here (yes, get the stupid VIP Membership, don't be cheap!), *  Second, most of the girls want repeat business (or at least, I think they want it, why would they want to see someone and want them to never see them again?  What kind of review are you gunna get from that?)
*  Third, if you are a "gentleman" (definition I am still trying to work out from some of the providers here as my definition and the industries may differ significantly) and at least clean yourself up before going to visit your companion and you, too, are discrete, I doubt they want to get you in trouble.  As I said above, there are dumb providers out there, that's why you screen them. (PS: I would also wait on submitting reviews for a week after the session, to ensure you can warn the community if they do something dumb like call your wife, show up at your job, whatever...not that I think it would ever happen, but why not?  No harm in waiting 7 days, might temper your review too!)

Thank you for all the replies

I might be willing to reveal quite a bit of personal info.. But when it comes to my professional life without doubt I'd rather choose a verification company to know about it than a provider.. So correct me if I'm wrong, but as a newb if I give her a verified ID# then in most cases this should be enough to keep her from asking about my job right?

Then I hear there are some providers out there which aren't happy with just a Datecheck/P411 ID. And imagine how non-reassuring I'll look when they also see I have no OKs on these sites! I just don't want to end up wasting my time, effort, and money getting verified on these sites.. only to find out that as a newb with no refs, the door is still shut for 90% of providers! So if you were me would you get verified first and THEN start contacting these providers? It must give you a lot of power with these girls to say, "And oh, here's my Datecheck ID" (so leave my work life outta it honey!)

I take all your advice with great thanks!

"if I give her a verified ID# then in most cases this should be enough to keep her from asking about my job right?"
No.  It's less likely they'll want to verify your employment but some will still want to.
As for the value of P411 and Date-Check if you have no OKs, yes, they are still valuable.  There are a good number of providers on those sites whose profiles say they are "newbie friendly" and require no OKs.  Start with them, get them to OK you and you're off.  I was able to do it fairly quickly and easily and in barely more than a month after I started, I was able to see anyone I wanted.

Two years ago after some lurking on sites etc, I joined P411.  I gave them my real name and work info at the time.  The called my office and asked for me, the call was transferred and we spoke for a moment as to who this was....great have a nice day.  The thing that convinced me into doing this was the statements that their offices are in Canada, therefore making it harder for the US LE to access them. They also say that they destroy the information once you are verified.  I dont believe anything that anyone tells me in this line of work.  Today, I would NOT give any personal information out.  You can get "verified" , and admitted, with two P411 references from providers that are members.  IT CAN BE DONE, remember they exchange favors for money!!
Since P411, I have NEVER  given my real name to a provider or agency.  The first girl I contacted, I spoke to, via e-mail in a very gentlemanly way and she decided to see me at an upscale hotel.  After that I had one P411 Okay, and was on my way.
When I was asked for my name and employment information, I said that I was not comfortable giving that information out and if that was that then we would agree to disagree, so to speak.  All have seen me except for one agency which I cancelled.  Today I have 15 P411 okays and really dont get asked for anything other than the money.  Recently I was asked why I didnt want to give my name, I said for the same reason you wont give me yours.
Cheap advice, Do not give out any information that you arent completely comfortable with.  It is highly unlikely that any of it gets used against you, BUT it only takes one time and you a perv, sludge, low life.

Stay Thirsty My Friend

She may still ask, but I have yet to have a companion ask after confirming my verification information.

This post has been a help as I'm just starting out and would like better quality than the type of girls you find on BP. Some of them are good but you definitely get what you pay for.

P411 sounds like the way to go as I'm in a sensitive job field and having a bunch of women calling me would really look bad. Hell, I'm barely allowed phone calls from family members without them asking questions. One call with P411 and hopefully that'll be that.

I understand the girl's concern, but honestly at some point they have lots of leverage on you: they know all your work, sometimes home info, and you have none of theirs. Not a good situation to be in.