Every since the FOSTA situation I've been elusively using P411 to find providers.  I decided to start using Eros about a few months ago since P411 has been a lot less active lately.  I've only contacted "Verified VIP" providers since I assumed they would be more legit.  Every single one of them asked for weird screen processes like asking for my linkin password, pictures of my passport or asking me to send them a selfie.  The Eros provider I saw last week turned out to be a completely different girl.  And today I got scammed out of a $500 deposit that I'm still trying to get back.  Do I have any recourse in this situation?  Is there anyone to report the provider to Eros to get them banned?

has turned much of the industry into the Wild West.  The worst examples are not on Eros, but Switter.  The Eros site has been around for years, and is legit, but they do not have any enforcement protections for customers that I know of.  You take your chances.  When TER reviews were available, it kept providers on the up and up on other advertising sites like Eros.  Not anymore. Scammers are everywhere.  

but you have 25 reviews, have done this in at least three countries and have been a member here for at least 12 years and yet after all this time and experience you STILL got scammed out of a deposit???!!! Haven't any of the lessons you have learned here sunk in?

I am based in NY and have not seen any providers outside of the NY area.  I don't know where you get that I've tried this in at least three other countries before as I've never met with any providers outside of NY.  I'm not sure what lesson I should've learned as I've never been scammed before this.  

It seems that after doing some research on Eros they seem to ban providers all the time.  They seriously won't ban a provider if it can be proven that they scammed their clients?

"Haven't any of the lessons you have learned here sunk in?"

because from several gals have told me, that's whom EROS is now working for, and why they are asking for so much personal information.

So I'm assuming no one here uses Eros.com?

I've used it twice with success, but that was pre-TER apocalyptic time. I have successfully used Switter twice so far, but I know better than to press my luck too far and now mainly hang out in seedy massage parlors and sketchy dive stripclubs

From the Advertise with Eros FAQs section: "4. How do I become Eros Verified? Upload an authentication photo, which is a clear face picture with the model holding a handwritten sign that has the full current date (MM/DD/YY) and the word “EROS” written on it." More info, from the Eros Verified link at the bottom of the home page: "Eros Verified - In order to be eligible to be designated Eros Verified, Eros must have concluded that the individual publishing an advertisement appears to be the same individual depicted in that advertisement. Eros makes such a determination by using a visual comparison of the advertisement photographs submitted to Eros with the advertiser’s government-issued ID and/or other photographic evidence. However, please be aware that the Eros Guide cannot and does not make any guarantees or warranties that either (a) the advertiser in the pictures on any particular ad will be the same individual who shows up for any date arranged between an advertiser and yourself, (b) that any of the text, including the name of the advertiser, or stats that appears on an advertisement, is accurate or truthful. Finally, the term “Verified” does not mean that Eros Guide has reviewed or confirmed any licensure or permits issued to the advertiser." So what's the bottom-line? A provider can be verified but that unfortunately tells you nothing about whether the service will be good, bad, or a complete scam. Eros doesnt care about your money and it's doubtful they'll ban a provider who is a paying customer.

Eros is no better or worse than other ad sites (FBI issues aside). You can find gems there or you can get ripped off. There are no "Truth in Advertising" or FTC protections and it's up to every client to look out for himself.

Is Switter sketchy as fuck?  It doesn't seem any safer than backpage.

but at one point, pre FOSTA/SESTA you could find providers on Eros and then check their reviews to make sure they were legit, so while Eros wasn't exactly a "safe" place to find providers it was a useful tool back then.  

You are not the first to be abused here by that prick, mrfisher. He has the well-deserved reputation of being a miserable SOB.

Unlike posters like myself or Jake who are never rude, impolite or abusive.  

I most definitely find Switter "sketchy as fuck" and I might even consider it a small step DOWN from the BackPage of old.

and I'll come down there and bust up the rest of your stemware.

A "VIP" ad means the girl paid extra for the upgraded ad.  Not sure of the price...500 or 100...but I have heard it is not cheap.  I think even basic EROS ads cost hundreds of dollars.  Does anyone here know exact pricing?

VIP simply means extra $ paid for upgraded ad/placement and verified simply means Eros made some effort to check that the pics in the ad match the person placing the ad. But nothing prevents a scammer from using either label (or both) to lure potential clients and go dark after taking a deposit or pull a bait-and-switch where a completely different woman answers the door. Also, and this isn't technically a scam, but providers who used to advertise on BP at much cheaper rates can easily take glamor photos, raise rates, and advertise on Eros. Unfortunately the service level doesn't match the presentation. Don't know about other cities but in the Greater DC area there are several examples of this. Without reliable US-based reviews, or unless you happen to remember them from BP, you can end up paying steak prices for hamburger. As always, caveat emptor.

Honestly I don't find it better or worse than the other crap sites that we are left with now.

And I've found some great providers there, even in the last month or so. It's still useful for touring independents in my area (DMV).

if you do your homework you would be fine. I require deposits and sometimes pre-payment in the USA and Ive even refunded when necessary. I would never tour without this loophole. Clients are known to time waste too.  
if she has reviews she's not going to want to screw her reputation by taking a few hundred quid from you (all for 2hrs work) one bad review can affect your whole business
GOOGLE and see where she's verified, how many websites and where is she listed?  
research don't just accept one websites fallacy.

Amanda is right, do some research. Plenty of reputable and nice ladies out there!

Deposits, pre-payments? Yeah, no.  Not everyone would walk off with it, but that's the way to bet.