I wanted to get some answers from some veterans so didn't post it on the newbie board.  
I am a first timer, had a few massages, but going the fs route this weekend.
This is a well reviewed provider, has her own website, etc.  On her website it says will take appointment with references.  This is what scares me, I emailed her, told her I don't have references yet, and she said that's ok and set an appointment with me.  She is an independent, I'd hate for this to be a setup or something. How do I protect myself from LE?  I know she has alot at stake as well.  How do I know that this whole website isn't a sting operation? (Ok, I know that one was from way out of left field, but an honest concern).  
Thanks in advance for the replies.

If she has reviews on TER (more than one LOL!) than she is legit (>98% probability at least).  If she has lots of reviews from contributors on your local board then rest assured she is good.  DON'T BE SCARED.  This can really interfere with the fun.  On the other hand, do let her know you are a newbie.  I think (perhaps providers can chime in on this) that many providers find this cute.  I remember my first time and the provider was a lady with a heart of gold...she gently....well, you know....have fun and relax.  By the way, us veterans do peruse the newbie board to help you guys out.

You may want to check the writers of those reviews to see that they've written several.  It's a lot tougher to fake 10 people writing 10 reviews each than it is to fake 2 or 3 people writing one each.

Overall, you need to decide if you can take steps to minimize risk to an acceptable level, or if you need to choose another hobby.

While what you have said applies 99% of the time, it is not always true that a lady with TER reviews is legit.  She may not be LE but she could still be a ROB.  I happen to live in one of the few cities, San Diego, where LE has put up fake provider web pages and backed them up with fake reviews from guys that had only seen a handful of ladies.

This is not meant to scare you but to make sure you do your homework thoroughly.  A lady with several reviews but all by guys with only one review or a very short history of reviews would make me dig deeper.

If a lady has a long history of good reviews on TER and has been reviewed by people with a long history of reviews as well, I wouldn't worry at all.  As far as feeling nervous, I still get a slight rush when meeting a new lady after 20 years of doing this.  I think the rush is part of the fun in meeting new ladies.  

99% of the ladies reviewed on TER are safe and legit.  However, there are new people trying new scams every day. Just do your homework thoroughly and you will be OK.  

you go with a long established provider, who has reviews from several active hobbyists.

"references" is a sort of subjective thing, and most of them just want any way of confirming you're for real, eg have a day job and don't fit an informant profile.

You have no references at all and she just said OK sweetie and set-up an appointment with no screening of any kind ? No one here thinks that is unusual ? Come on !

Maybe he just forgot to mention the screeening method she used ?

I see many providers want to call your workplace to verify....what do they ask/pretend to be on the phone after the receptionist answers?

...I have been screened only threee times. Top notch girls too. I was always willing to give them as much information as they needed to feel comfortable, but many told me female intuition was there guide.
I was a bit cautious and skeptical like yourself at first, but see well reviewed ladies and there should be no worries.

Good luck

..you've done as much homework as possible, and from here on, go and have fun!! Trust your instincts when you get there, and remember, you can walk away from any situation if you arrive and feel uncomfortable-a cancellation donation is appropriate if you do though!! I do spend considerable time preparing to arrive as sensously as possible, so it's very fair!!
You made a very valid point when you said "I know she has alot at stake as well". There really is no sure way for any of us to know about something like that until it happens, but if she has reviews, and a website, the chances are fairly slim this is a sting.
There are many obvious signs though, and I'd bet you could figure them out!!! When I arrive, or greet, a new client for the first time, who happens to be a newbie (which yes, I find endearing), I've often just asked, "Are you a member of any law enforcement agency?"...you'd be surprised the amount of chuckles and understanding I get with that one!
Everyone has a first time in everything they do, so I understand the sensitivity it takes to approach such a new "opportunity"......have a blast!!!!!

Close your eyes, think deeply, let all your inhibitions go, You are being attacked in a big desert called the Sahara, by many Ciara's. We come from all over. Sensual from Florida.. One from Phoenix, One from Buffalo, another from DC, One in Vegas.. One in Cali... It's a cult. we will get you, pin you down and color you with Siera Crayolas

We are coming to get you and your little dog toto too.. and changing his name to Ciaro!

Its a cult!

-- Modified on 1/3/2006 9:15:44 PM

Your right. I'm just being paranoid

I hope...

I agree with you sugar. It's not okay with me if someone has no references. Do a little more homework or find someone else. There are LOTS of us good ones around who are more careful.

Wish you were coming to Tampa.

Kisses,
Anneke

Then your house and head will spin out of control and then you'll be in munchkin land (that is after we're finished). Tee-he!

Hugs,
Ciara

Someone whom already has a review.. Oops.. frosty balls got snargled OR BenMac ? Musta been the Ciara thing

Outcome - Operation Ciara- Success !  

roflmao

They're really as interested as being as discreet as you.  Companies often get these sort of calls verifying employment from landlords, banks doing credit checks, as well as any number of salesmen who may only have the name and the company of the person they're trying to contact.

Depending on the type of office/company you work in, some excuses work better than others.  If you have any concerns, let the lady know and I'm sure she'll be glad to use whatever excuse you'll like.  One well-known provider in the NYC area used to use the "Rebecca from the Gift basket company" line, for example.

I'm back in the hobby after a 5 year hiatus, but the usual protocol used to be: upon arriving the provider politely asking if I was LE, or affiliated with any LE agency, then they would nicely ask if I could get into my birthday suit and tell me they were leaving the room and would be back in a few minutes.  When they came back we would square away on the donation and it was down to business.  This almost always seemed to be the routine.  The last provider I saw however, was with a well established agency with dozens of reviews on the TER, so I felt comfortable, it was the usual two call system but no one at any time, including the provider when I arrived, asked me if I was LE and never asked for references, and the donation was asked for before we went about our business.  My question is: is this typical now?  Has the escort business gotten more lax in its screening process?  Long ago, I was told, that the providers will give a client a good kiss on the lips and/or ask you to remove your clothes before getting down to business because if you're LE you can't set someone up by actually engaging in "the act".  Does anyone know if this is true?

I plan on seeing several more escorts in the coming months and would like to play it safe.   Feedback on these questions is appreciated. Thanks.

Canada, UK, Australia, Singapore (of all places! but also rumored to be of low quality.  i have no personal experience), Nevada, etc.  These are places where it's legal.  Newbies can start in those places to calm nerves.  Newbies may find that some of those places offer good service.

Many of the ladies that had you strip to your birthday suit were almost surely taken down by LE after meeting you. Their method meant nothing then and it means nothing now. Good agencies have several ways of verifying you from the information that you surely had to give them. I do not think that any would be anxious to share those methods publicly. They had a good sense that you were legit before you stepped into the room.