As a newbie about to dive in, I'm finding TER invaluable.  So glad I got a visa gift card to upgrae to a real act.  The vip info has answered about 90% of my questions...

Still trying to be as safe as I can tho - looking for providers with several recent reviews, and with reviewers that have several reviews or are even whitelisted.  If the provider has a real website, thats good too.

What else do you guys check for in your "research"?  Is there any way to find out about recent LE activity in an area?

First let me congratulate you on becoming a VIP member of TER.  You are right that this board is a great resource for hobbyists.  It's a great resource for providers too.

Your research is paying off.  You have good ideas about staying safe. 1)Finding ladies who have several recent reviews from hobbyists with many reviews or who are whitelisted. 2)Seek providers with real websites. 3)Check on LE activity in your area.

Here are a couple more ideas for you:

1) Network with hobbyists in your area to share information.  
    For legal reasons LE activity shouldn't be posted on a board until it has been made public, but your hobby friends might send you an e-mail if they hear about something.  
    Your hobbyist friends may also share info about ladies who are 'under the radar' (usually part-time ladies who don't advertise publicly)
    Sometimes important information doesn't make it to the boards (a lady seemed high in session, or has a pimp, or does BBFS, or has an STD ...) because the gent writing the review wants to be nice or doesn't have proof.  Your hobbyist friends are likely to share this kind of info with you.
2) Contact the providers you are interested in.  
    Ask them where their reviews are posted.  There are many boards.  Some ladies might only have a couple reviews on TER, but many more reviews on other boards.  These other reviews might give you a better sense of how safe she is.
    Evaluate her professionalism by how your communication goes.  If she seems scattered, perhaps she is.
    Does she screen you thoroughly?  If she doesn't screen you, she is showing you that she is lax about her own safety.  Do you think she is careful about your safety?
   
You asked if there is a way to find out about LE activity in an area.  We are blessed here in Seattle with a plethora of local escort review boards.  Once LE busts make it public, this info is posted on the boards.  This may be true in your area too.


Best Wishes and Happy Hobbying,
Sarah Nicole of Seattle

Nothing drives up circulation like a good story about sex.

My local paper always plays up busts, and even featured a piece about local motels that play ball with the local LE Chief by reporting on any suspicious activity they see.  You can bet I stay away from those places.

Look on line at the local papers' websites, often they carry news stories that stretch back several weeks.

I am a single male and your sugestion about the paper was good idea.  What section would you recommend?  Also, i am very new at this but i have some questions at if anyone would answer i would love some advise.
1) Money is not an issue for me but of coarse i do not want to be ripped off.  What is the best way to make sure the provider is up & up.  I have heard about the pictures being fake, promising certain service and find out once you get to the locatio or they arrive then amount agreed or advertised is just to show up and for anything additional, they want $300 for $400 extrata after the intial.

Thanks Joseph527 Atlanta, GA

where every call to the police is recorded.  It can make for some amusement at times.

As for the second question you ask, research the reviews of any potential provider and stick with those with a history of good solid reviews.

Pay up to become a VIP member if you are not one now so that you can read the reviews.