Has anyone joined, I did not like the fact that the billing was handled by TBD in some little town in FL, at least from what I could tell.  TER uses IBILL.COM, I have at least heard of them.

Any input?  It's not that I think TBD will do wrong with my CC, but it's what could happen if hacked.  The bigger companies may have better security.  Just call me paranoid.

I might be able to give you some idea regarding the company, but all I saw was E-Net Solutions.  I did not want to pursue it any further to avoid getting charged.

When you run your credit card number anywhere it ends up in several places through the processing channels.  Any CC transaction involves the risk of future fraud, whether in person or on the web.  The next time you hand over your card to some teenage boy at a store and you end up with phone sex charges on it you'll know what I mean.

Usually, the issue is not hacking since the link up for processing is provided by the credit card processor.  In the case of I-Bill, their website integrates directly with TER at the purchase point and commands TER to give your account the requisite number of credits based on the payment.  TER does not get your credit card number, so hacking TER gets you nothing.

However, from the looks of BigDog's website, it uses another system.  Actually, two running in parallel.  One is BigDog and the other is the Credit Card Processor.  In this case, the processor has no control over the host website.  BigDog needs the processor to tell it the card is approved, it matches the card number with its copy and approves your account.  Both BigDog and the processor have your number, so get into BigDog's database, if that is even possible and you might get some names and numbers.

Last year I had to have my American Express card reissued 3 times due to internet fraud.  First card was corrupted when the number was intercepted from an internet purchase and then ended up being used all over Great Britain and Europe for travel ($8,000).  New card issued, same result but in Europe ($3,000).  I then used the third new card was to buy some CD's at a local Wherehouse Entertainment store (my first and only purchase one it).  You described the scenario perfectly.  I give the card to the teenage clerk and start getting phone sex billed to it starting later that week.  We've still got a long way to go on this whole internet security thing.

You are not paranoid. Offshore cc processing is a very bad idea. The only one that benifits is TBD. Your idenity, cc information is open to any thief and you have nopotection or recourse.

EroticExplorer is 100% correct.  TER does not record your credit card numbers.  The screen that comes up is from IBill, one of the world’s largest (if not the world's largest) adult Internet credit card processors.  The have excellent customer support.  If there is a problem with your card, you can call there toll free number and they resolve it immediately.  If you have any questions on security, their number is 888-371-7800

-- Staff

Suppose a provider who is reviewed on TER is busted.  The prosecutor logs onto TER and sees a list of 10 members who submitted reviews for this provider.  The ambitious prosecutor goes to the judge and gets subpeonas for each of the reviewers.  The court orders TER to divulge the identities of the reviewers.  Some phone numbers and names of reviewers match up with the provider's phone book.  The reviewers (TER members) receive a subpoena to appear in court.  Some members have a lot of explaining to do to their wives.

Any comments on this scenario?
Has TER ever been ordered to divulge identity?
Is it possible?

I don't think that LE would go that far for a misdemeanor offence.  It is a waste of LE time.  It is a small offense.  If you were to engage in an agency where there were felony offenses MAYBE yes... it matters how big the bust and mostly the records of the agency.  Running an agency is at least a pimping charge, which is a felony.  Which can be sticky and worth their time.  As far as TER the only thing that they have is IPs.  Plus... I am sure that TER has sought legal advice protecting them... the front page states that this site is for entertainment only.

Don't worry about it.  How many of the girls that are reviewed on TER have been busted... many.  If they were to go after my book... good luck... I can't even make sense of it!  They can't use the reviews against the girls and can't go after the guys that review them.  Again this site is for entertainment only.  Yes, in some counties or cities they get the phones and apartments of the providers (OC).  Just be careful.

There are guys who post reviews for membership only and don't see the girl.  As far as the disclaimer says.... This is for entertainment only.

Don't worry about it and just be careful... You are just dropping off lunch or dinner to your friend or whatever... stopping by to say hi!  Don't ever agree to any acts and don't ask for them over the phone or in session.  If you have done your homework... you know what is safe and what is not!

Protect yourself and others!

XXXOOO Ashley

I didn't see anything about offshore CC processing on the website.

You are afforded all the protections you are with any CC transaction.  If your issuing bank hassles you that much when you contest a transaction, you either contest a lot of transactions or you need to dump that card and get another bank's card. Yes, it is always a pain to fill out the paperwork or cancel a card, but you don't lose any money.  I never have.

Simply put, this is how it works for the merchant.  If an issuing bank does a retrieval request to a merchant to verify a transaction, the merchant has to have a signed copy of the charge slip.  Merchants that don't do business in person assume the risk of chargebacks.  Depending on the type of business, CC processors will hold back reserves on a merchant's revenue to pay for chargebacks.

-- Modified on 6/23/2001 7:00:22 AM

As with all credit card charges, they can be disputed.  First contact the merchant, then if not resolved, contact your credit card company and they will take care it off.  If there are charges to the Bahamas that you did not make, you are not responsible and the credit card will eat the entire cost.  Credit cards are so safe for the internet it is unreal.  You can buy anything on the internet with the same credit card protections, the protections come with the card not your purchases.  So it doesn't matter if you are buying beef off the net, or adult material,  everything is protected the same.  Even I have disputed charges for an internet company with nudie pictures because the site went down and I was still being charged.  They didn't answer the phone, so my credit card took off all the charges from when the site went down.  It just took a polite phone call and a letter.  Yeah, I know I am a chick, but I had to see the pictures and check it out.

Since the crime you are describing is a misdemeanor a police officer must witness the crime. A paper trail is not enough.

Yes, Credit Cards are safe on the Internet providing you are sending your info. on a secure server... look for the closed padlock at the bottom of the order page. BUT>>>>
Be aware that Debit Cards, ATM Cards, and Check Cards are NOT SAFE!

It is really simple. Once you give out your PIN #, or make a charge using a debit card, you have given the money away as if it was cash. No recourse! So...in my opinion...I would never use a debit, check or ATM card for any internet purchases...secure server or not. Be careful out there....not all mankind is honest..believe it or not...but that is just my opinion..and what do I know? Lots on this subject and all computer related topics....EOM
DateAMan

Well, first off TS,

1. TER staff has NEVER even been contacted by LE.  
2. TER does not keep the info you type into IBILL on its servers.
3. TER would fight any effort by anyone to violate the privacy of our members.  

Remeber, this site was started by a couple of guys just like you, hobyists (myself included).  Do you think for a minute we would let that happen?

-- Staff

That's good to hear!