"jumping through hoops" demanded by hookers demanding deposits is just one example.

 
I hear guys whining about this all the time, but the solution is quite simple. All you have to do is quit contacting hookers that demand deposits in the first place and voila, Problem solved.

 
Another is the women expecting you to "apply" for a date. Guys are whining about that all the time as well, but once again the problem has a very simple solution. Don't whine about it, do something about it by simply NOT contacting these women, there are literally thousands of providers without unreasonable screening/booking demands. All you have to do is limit your inquiries to those "legit" providers and you will no longer be exhausted from your search. lol

You must get some odd enjoyment out of hunting for a legit provider in a forest of scammers. If you really are tired of dealing with scammers, stop dealing with them.

with well-reviewed ladies on TER?  It seems like you are going out bypassing a valuable resource here.  Once you have seen all of the ladies from TER in your area, only then would I suggest taking more risk with the unknowns.  Just my opinion, but I don't get why you are having these kinds of problems when there are so many girls with plenty of positive reviews right here.  

Not every one is gold

But I think there are plenty of PA girls above board and will prove who they are to you!

...and that's why we don't send them and why most of us don't consent to video calls.

is scamming rampant? 100%. And I really do feel for clients trying to find reputable women to see. It's the wild west out there and we're all on guard.

Providers are also getting contacted by scammers as well, example being that i was contacted today and asked for a video that asked me to say a phrase, word for word, that a particular site requires in order to verify every ad posted. Video chats are recorded and used as "verification" as well- scammers scamming providers in order to scam other potential clients. You literally stated in your original post that someone tried to fake a video call, so why would you even be asking for them in the first place when they can be spoofed? Scammers aren't stupid, and its a numbers game to them. Eventually, someone will fall for it.  It's rampant and its irritatingly awful.

Providers are getting their profiles taken away by scammers, having their photos stolen, etc, so I'm not exactly sure what sending a 30 second video to anyone would actually prove outside of the fact that I have and have sent you the video. asking for a live facetime reeks of time waster/scammer, and it's not something I'd ever personally do since video calls can be screen recorded and used for purposes I can't control. No provider who is obsessive about the control of their image is going to send photos or do a video call that could be recorded and used without their permission. If me sending you links to Twitter, Instagram, my two websites, googling my name and work phone number and finding every listing that ive posted over the last however many years isnt enough for you, then there's no reason why providing a video call would push you over the edge into booking. period.  

If you want to be sure you're not dealing with a scam artist, then simply do your research on your potential provider, and don't do anything you're uncomfortable with. its that simple. If you aren't comfortable sending a deposit, then don't and find a provider that doesn't require them.  Are there going to be missing pieces that pop up from time to time? Sure. Because not every provider is going to have reviews, or social media profiles on all the sites. But it's your responsibility to stitch together a narrative about any provider you want to see to ensure they aren't scammers just like it's my responsibility to stitch together any narrative about a potential client.

Google is your friend. The Wayback Machine is your friend. TinEye and Google Reverse Image Search are your friend. There are so many tools that are free and readily available to use to ensure you're not dealing with a scammer that asking for a video call is 100% unnecessary.

I typically don’t have any issues when dealing with providers who have at least a few reviews either on this site or others. Are you using those bottom of the barrel sites that are chock full of crackheads, obvious scams, etc? Start using your resources more wisely, you really shouldn’t need to ask for 30 second video chats, and clearly they aren’t useful anyway. Or just stick to those upscale providers you’re referring to, they seem on the up and up, whoever those women are.

I don't give to scammer and been more lucky lastly.  
But STG is 90% scam and the other half is ugly or so hard to get.  
The same for list crawler with being  pull history on LC it seem only 50% scam with other 45% just plain ugly lazy hard to talk to. h
When providers had to pay $3 to $25 for a add on Backpage it got rid of scam add to sort through.  
The same for TER the review Are farer apartment, .
But keep up work never pay a deposit.  With being harder to find legit hookers less and less going to be trying a hooker who can't get John will find stomthing else.  
If you into programming make you own page.

 
Why?  Because guys who ask for this sort of thing are all-too-often nothing more than pic collectors who have no intention of keeping a date.  To me, it's a "clear sign" of a time-waster.  

I'll advise someone like yourself to simply google "debra hollander escort" and if they still have doubts, they should find someone else.    

 
Do that with everyone who strikes your fancy.   Except use HER name in your search, of course lol.  

Are tools you should have in your hobby tool belt.  Only once did I get scammed by a gal on P411.  I have told this story before. Former porn star, talks for 45 min of the hour booked, refusing my suggestive language to get things going.

Oops, she says, looking at her watch.  I got a BJ to completion, and rushed one at that. No kissing, no breast play, just blow and go.

I have been on both boards for ten years and only had that problem.

sometimes I have sent the entire direct link to my AFF page.  Gotten a few chuckles and never a refusal.  Also I have a private protected page all about me for providers that I use on occasion. I get chuckles with that also and no refusals.
Everybody's results and reaction are very variable and smart ladies are careful.

PALaw,  
 I have read your AD and it's not that exhausting. leave the Provider a message and do video chat and go from there. Go with the one that you feel comfortable with.