I'm new (hence me being on the newbies board) and am wondering what 'screening' entails.  I have seen references to phoning receptionists at my place of work?  What gives with that?  I want discretion!  What are typical things that happen during screening?

in which a hobbyist tells his horror story. Bottom line, some ladies have a very strict verification/screening process, some almost nothing (especially if they come from an agency background).

...screening is as simple as an informative email (hi, my name is  bob, i saw your site and reviews and would love to see you when i come to town on the 31st. i'm 47, divorced and will be there for a sales seminar ... get the picture?)
and from a secure address, ie. work. not aol or hotmail or yahoo.
i do compromise here and accept emails from 2 addys from clients, the one we talk on and the one that just has the info i asked for that has no content, that i dont respond to.
i understand discretion, and would Never use the work email if you Ask me to use another.
but You need to understand that these email servers have terms of service that state, if you bother to read them, that they Own what you do while there. Nothing is Private.
i just feel more comfortable knowing you know how to play safe and polite and your name is a part of that.
that you work for IBM or 3M or Disney, i could care less. knowing that it takes a lot more time money and effort for LE to set up a company complete with email, website and secretaries... i feel a little safer if you volunteer that info.
clandestine quickies in the shadows with 30 minutes notice is not my idea of safe.
yours?

look at the screening info from Our side for a second, please. here's a coule of worst case scenarios:
car wreck/accident = police  i'm really gonna look like a hooker if i cant tell the officer at the scene the name of my date. and leaving the scene is against the law.
and we all want to stay out of jail, right?
or, god forbid, you do something awful, like battery or theft... it happens, look on some other boards if you dont believe me.

the scary stories in boston, i am sorry to hear those. but if the fellow had done his research and spent the time communicating with his Service Professionals... he prolly would not have ended up with a drug addict knowing where he lives and stalking him...
or (DONT LOOK IF YOU ARE SKITTISH) maybe he shouldnt have ripped her off in the first place and she wouldnt have had any reason to be upset.  

dont be afraid to volunteer your information if you are a nice, safe guy... trying to make a date with a well reviewed Service Professional.
we wouldnt be well reviewed or professional if we betray the trust.  
have fun and play safe,
Nicole

and dont just sit there and freak or fume.  post a reply

I totally understand the basics.  Name, for example.  I also didn't know what WAS entailed in screening.  A person should not use hotmail?  What if I only have web-based emails?

i use ziplip.com  there is also hushmail.com which has been around almost as long as hotmail.  these offer encrypted messages, no trace routes (ip addys can to some degree offer a hacker/cracker you actual location) and i do believe Complete Privacy.

every lady is different, but if you send her an informational email, saying a little about yourself, how you found her and why you think it would be a good match, odds are you wont have to jump thru Too Many hurdles.

have fun and play safe,
Nicole

My advice to you guys who don't feel comfortable giving out ANY personal info to a provider is to seek the many providers who don't require it. I would never give a provider that I hadn't even met yet any personal information about me, especially work info. Just remember that no matter what a provider says about keeping your info confidential or not keeping your info at all you have no way of verifying if that is true. Once you give out the info you can never be sure it's safe.