so how well do you trust your senses?

In any case, here are things to worry about:

If she brings up anything having to do with performing sexual activites in exchange for money.

If she seems unconcerning with getting any references from you or screening you or even spending any time on the phone chatting just to see what kind of guy you are.

If she only advertises on Craig's List and not any of the more conventional escort advertising sites.

If you hear police radios going off in the background.

If she asks if you like to do drugs.

You get the idea by now.  Basically, if you get anything other than a warm fuzzy feeling from your interaction, don't go ahead with it.

You can also ask about her on your local board and see if anyone there is familiar with her.

Experience. I can not always tell if an ad is real, but I can almost always spot one that is fake.

You either go with your gut feeling or stick to the reviews.

Pictures showing a girl of way above average looks with rates way below average for the area are a couple clues. If you find her picture in the aarchival pics of Playboy or Penthouse, that would be a clue also.