I was browsing Eros.com when I was hit with the following warning: "Eros operates solely as an advertising platform and cannot be held responsible for fraudulent behavior by third parties. Please stay cautious and do not provide any form of advance commitment or sensitive information."
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I've been seeing these warnings with increasing frequency across multiple ad sites and platforms. They're basically saying don't pay deposits or share any PI for screening. We know why we are getting this message, these websites are getting flooded with deposit thieves, deceptive OF ads and scammers. We also know these websites are doing jack shit about it, to the point we have another new ad site being promoted and making the rounds. We also know that like 90% of providers require PI screening and deposits (note: this is a made up statistic for rhetorical effect). So like, what gives?
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I have to ask, how do you providers feel about these websites telling potential clients that your screening and booking procedures are dangerous and should be avoided? In my opinion, its kind of messed up that they take your payment for the ad and then try to undermine your booking/screening process. I also dislike the accountability. These sites are hosting the scammers, taking their payment, and then not doing anything about it or taking any responsibility for it. So providers, how do you feel about this warning? Do you fear these ad sites taking additional measures or imposing any restrictions? Just want to get your thoughts.  
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Note: The purpose of this thread is to not discuss the practicality, purpose or safety or screening/deposits. There are many other threads to talk about that. This thread is to discuss these warning and what they could mean.

I am going to chew on this and do some research. Good question.

I consider myself a cautious veteran but I got swindled for $25 a few months ago. Super hot touring gal, no reviews, pro photos not bathroom selfies, pro website, and 3+ years of regular OF activity including face out. Pro screening and communication. IIRC about $600/hour. The big red flag was $25 deposit for two hours? Like really, most gals want 20% or more. One hour before the date she cancelled and disappeared like Keyser Söze. Tryst ads gone. OF account gone. Emails and texts unresponsive. I assume she has since popped up under a new name but I’m not looking. Her Tryst ad was up for about three weeks before her tour. Assuming she nabbed ten dumbass guys like me, that’s only $250 bux. Seems like an awful lot of work for $250. It was a good lesson for me and relatively cheap at $25 bux. But I can’t file any complaints on Tryst cuz her ad is gone. Also curious that she actually texted to cancel an hour before. I’m glad cuz I didn’t drive to the incall and wait there like a disappointed dumbass. Can a scammer be courteous?

I stop advertising on most all platforms that warns not to send deposits. I realize that TER is the absolute best place for an OG, like me. People who care to do their due diligence by verifying a provider is real will find me here. This site is legit. Twenty years and counting… I may never be voted Ms TER, but I get bookings with deposits.  

I had this happen to me but not sex work related. A few years ago I had someone hack into my Kohl's account (yes, you read that right!) and sent themselves a $25 gift card. Apparently that is a typical scam amount because most people are going to say fuck it, it was only $25 and move on with life. But you are correct, who knows how many people they scammed for the $25. But per your post it sounds like you did everything right and did your research. Was the "provider" you were talking to even a real person or was the whole scam just AI? Who knows. Back to the OP's comment how do we as providers stay safe while clients try to navigate the scam shit show that is so prevalent now? Unfortunately with sex work being illegal the black market is a hot bed for online criminal activity. I don't even remember the last time a guy said he was robbed by a "provider" in person. They don't have to even show up anymore, they can just rob you online. In countries where sex work is legal or decriminalized there is just not this level of scamming. Unfortunately because of the anti sex work/trafficking groups continuing to push to keep sex work illegal the scamming of clients is not something even on their radar as something to worry about.

too good to be true, it usually is.  Your mistake was thinking the risk of a scam would be lower due to the small amount they were asking for.  Common sense would tell us the risk is higher.  It's lower for them because the lower amount would not warrant coming after them, and you didn't.  You wrote it off as I would have, but I would have seen the scam for what it is in the first place.

They have tested the info about you to see if it works for a small amount and next will take an even larger amount.

Platforms covering their ass, simple as that.
They can't vet every provider or ad, so they place this buyer beware as a disclaimer.

No I didn’t think the risk of scam was lower due to the small amount, that actually triggered my spidey sense. I paid the $25 cuz I wanted to see where it went and I was very surprised she kept in touch via text up to an hour before the appointment. If she had asked for $250 or 20% I’d like to think I would not have sent it, but I was definitely thinking with the little head at the time.

Plain and simple, there are lots of scammers out there and they find their ways onto these platforms. While they can do a better job vetting, it's impossible to stop them all. Having a buyer beware message is helpful. I don't think legit providers are sufferring as a result.

Think TER slowed down naming The Miss TERs with the only reason being to keep from anointing you.  
What I find baffling is that there has not been another provider here who has admitted how much of her income has been generated from this site.  
More should take notice .

I know you say I don't like reviews or review culture but it keeps guys and girls safe for scammers....

Good to know! I changed my password and account # with Kohls and I have not had any further issues. This was like 4 or 5 years ago, I am assuming Kohls has upped their security measures.

financial fraud carry the death penalty, and they don't do ten years of appeals before blasting a hole through the back of a convict's head.  You're right, we need more teeth in fraud statutes.

⸻

But I suspect it will not have much effect at all. I've seen those types of notices for years outside the USA, and even sometimes in the States. It is just a warning and a "fine print" type claim to avoid anyone claiming the site holds some responsibility for any lots deposits or issues with information provided.

I actually do think scams are at, or close to, an all time high since I have been playing. I think Covid was partly to blame for that as many charlatans saw a way to make a quick buck, close out that profile when busted, then open/create a new persona and do it again.  
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I am guessing these sites are being inundated with complaints from clients and thus the need for the disclaimers. I just personally don't think it is difficult, for an experienced guy, to find a reputable provider re: deposits. I don't have any issues at all but I also stay within my rules when sending them.

Yea I was specifically asking providers because I want to know how they feel. I know that isn't going to stop the clients from responding lol. I understand that this is a pretty standard disclaimer that is being done as a legal CYA. I'm more interested in the provider's perspective. There has been a lot of chatter about ad sites from providers lately. Providers have hated eros for a while and are becoming increasingly frustrated with Tryst. Providers are even talking up a new advertising site (which, I have no interest in). It just seemed like these ad sites were throwing providers under the bus and undermining their customers. I think the provider perspective would be more interesting and insightful. So far the clients are mostly saying the same thing.

Unfortunately some of these sites do not care if they get $$ from unscrupulous "providers" (aka scammers) or from actual legitimate providers. Some of these scammers are putting up multiple "provider" ads and as soon as one gets reported they pull it and create a new one. Eros was always more expensive to advertise on. When many of the legitimate providers left because of the cost the scammers moved in. Tryst unfortunately is getting overtaken by onlyfans ads. There are less and less in person providers because many have gone to on line only. But we also must not forget that casual sex is more common and people living together before they are married, so in person providers on not as high in demand for the younger unmarried gents as they were before. And what does "verified" even mean anymore? IDs and pics can be generated with AI. The whole thing is a shit show. lol  

Many of your points are absolutely valid, but I’m sure you also understand why so many providers have chosen to leave reviews in the rearview. Some reviews were faked and stated specific services that the provider never offered, which of course would be infuriating to any provider.
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The problem then arose that when a review like that posts, it sets an unrealistic expectation for the next gent(s). A client who books based on that review, may assume that the same sex act will be available to him, putting the provider in a very uncomfortable position, especially if she has to decline a sexual request in the midst of passion. Then guess what happens? She is potentially subject to a bad review from THAT client.  
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To make matters worse, once a fake review was posted, removing it became nearly impossible. That lack of control was yet another major reason many women stepped away from the “review culture” you mention.  
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But what truly sealed it was that many who left, say they found a different caliber of client i.e. ones who respected discretion and didn’t feel the need to broadcast every detail of their time together. Many have also stated that their income improved after leaving, eliminating any real incentive to return to TER, or sites similar.
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As for myself, I am genuinely grateful to the providers who have chosen to remain reviewable. It helps me determine if the provider is real, that she is not law enforcement, that she matches her photos and is a good overall match for me in terms of sexual compatibility. I also happen to enjoy writing them very much, and reading them again at a later date, as they bring back tons of great memories.

No reviews. Enough said.

if she is asking for an absurd deposit…move along

The first escort you wanted to see did get arrested for sex trafficking lmao. I'll be honest, when you told that story I looked into the woman and... yea that provider had a reputation. I understand why she got arrested lol. She would antagonize cops on her Instagram and would brag about how she had cops and judges as clients. She even posted a video of her antagonizing some cops in person on her IG. She was talking so much shit it isn't a surprise she ended up in an FBI investigation.

I understand the reasons why women want to avoid review sites. We've heard the reasons and I will 100% admit the women have a point. Many reviews read like penthouse letters rejects that can be cringy. It doesn't seem like many providers are suffering from a lack of clients nor have they had to drop their rates. Also it seems like the average review board john is a "value shopper" while these providers would prefer to target a "luxury shopper." There is a reason why this board seems to be dominated by K-girl clients these days.
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However, it isn't like reviews have completely disappeared, even for women with no review policies. There are definitely informal, diffused information sharing networks that exist among clients (which have been hinted at here). It is definitely more discreet but it isn't like "review culture" has disappeared, even for women with no review policies. I think it works out for some high end providers.
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I am just going to say that nothing lasts forever. Things come and go. There has been a lot of money thrown around in the past 5 years but I get a feeling certain bubbles are staring to burst. Real estate is starting to crash and people are noticing the stock market is extremely overvalued. I'll leave you with this quote from NNT, the author of "The Black Swan." "I've seen gluts not followed by shortages, but I've never seen a shortage not followed by a glut." At a certain point the bottom is going to fall out and providers are going to have to start working a bit harder for clients.
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Who knows what the future will bring. I doubt we will go back to how things were in the past. I do get a feeling that something has to give.

Providers pay the platforms to host their ads because it helps them extend their client base and allow their profiles to be found on a popular platform.

When did Eros stop allowing advertisers to post their rates?

Pretty much the same thing

All these warnings mean is that each of these companies has at least one lawyer and needs to do something to cover his retainer.
You think maybe that the same lawyer has made it easier for a provider to have an add running and now having a no review policy that applies here.

Absolutely agree, QB!
I only used Eros briefly in 2017, and they banned me for using the word "French" to describe oral. 😂 Best thing that ever happened! Never needed them anyway.

Unfortunately what happens is they do phishing scams with us ladies until they get someone who puts in their account credentials. Then they just take over a legit account. Lots of ladies use the same password and login in across accounts so all the scammer has to do is put in that same info and they have access to everything. Then they just ask everyone who contacts for  a deposit. They can change the email and phone number on the account to theirs. The reason the account disappeared is probably because the lady finally got a hold of support to take it down because they were locked out.