I recently returned to the valley and noticed one of the new providers.  From the pictures on the site I beleived I might have seen her before (under a different name when she was with an agency about a year and a half ago) but could not tell for sure.  Not wanting to put the provider on the spot (I like to see someone different every time), I sent emails to who appeared to be two frequent hobbyists and TER members to check and they did not say they did not know but both emphatically said the two providers were not the same.  But when we had our appointment it turns out the providers were the same.  She did not recognize me, but I recognized her.  I underrstand if the provider is trying to keep her identity secret from family or friends or stalkers, but why the name change and the secret with all the other reviewers?  I guess I could have and should have asked the provider, but I did not want to offend about wanting to see the same provider and if she went through al the trouble to bring all her regulars in on her secret, I doubt she would have told me if I had asked.  There really has to be a better way?

eom

I am not sure what you are suggesting.  I use the same name/email and have verifiable references.  I am not Provider "Z" the one telling her regular hobbyists not to tell anyone that she used to go by the names "X" and "Y".  If a provider really has a concern with a family memmber or stalker or LE (the only reasons I can possibly imagine changing names), then it seems like the only way to truly solve the problem is for the provider to obtain and check references.  Is a family member or stalker or LE really going to be fooled by a name change?  The only person who is going to be fooled is the casual, non-regular hobbyist.  It's frickin' annoying, that's all.

I can totally understand where you are coming from, however, there are some people who like to intimidate and/or threaten and who are more than willing to follow through on their threats if cant or do not get what they want. From my own experience, it does happen. Rarely, but there is people like that out there.