This was posted yesterday by the admin of another board. I'm interrupting my vacation to share it, with the permission of both the other admin and The Dean, because I think it's important info for everyone to keep in mind.
Hobbyists Beware!
I hesitated until I had all the facts but now I have enough information that I feel comfortable making this post. This is an FYI post intended as a learning tool for new hobbyists and not intented to cast a negative light on any person. I will not provide any further information on the parties involved so don't bother to ask.
A known hobbyist received a envelope containing pictures of his car parked in front of his hotel room, as well as a picture of an escort leaving his room, along with a note asking for $50,000 or he would be subject to his employer and relatives being told of his hobbying. The hobbyist believes that he was tracked down through his license plate as the envelope was sent to the exact address on his vehicle registration (the vehicle is registered to his business) and it is not the street address of his business or his home address. The note indicated that all communications would be made via an email address. The hobbyist decided not to pay the sum requested and 3 months have gone by and there has been no further contact. He believes this is because he tracked down the escort potentially involved and made his feelings clear to her about what the outcome of this incident would be if it were to go further.
I am posting this to provide some suggestions on how to prevent this from happening. If any hobbyists have further suggestions then please post them in the thread so that we can share our best ideas. Here are my thoughts:
1. The escort advertised exclusively on Craiglist. There are plenty of reliable agencies and independents who are members of G****, and while G**** doesn't provide any guarantees, the members here have gone through some minimum requirements in order to "advertise" here.
2. With all of the known robberies and murders that have occured as a result of answering ads on Craiglist and other free classified advertising sites, I don't understand why anyone would take the risk but if you do then do some research. The escort potentially involved in this matter was a former agency escort who had received reviews when she was with the agency and as an independent. A simple search would have shown that the escort, and her boyfriend who serves as her driver, have a history of erratic behaviour.
3. Don't park your car directly in front of the room. Park in another area of the hotel or better yet across the street or down the block.
4. Always call from a private number or from the hotel. Never text. Those who believe that a mobile phone can't be traced are dead wrong, unless the mobile phone is prepaid and not registered.
5. Use hotels that are SP friendly and don't require you to register in your real name. Even a hotel ledger left opened at the front desk can be an issue if it has your real information on it.
6. Hide any valuables (jewelry, credit cards, cash except for the amount for the escort) or identification in the room, or better yet leave them locked in your car.
7. This one is obvious. Don't share any personal information with the escort. Keep your conversation pleasant but intentionally vague. You and her are there for a purpose and you don't know what is really going on in her life, or who is involved in her life, and what she is like outside of the time she is with you. She is selling a fantasy, which is what you are buying, and anything beyond that is at your peril.
I don't mean to sound too negative. I have enjoyed this hobby for many years and there are some pleasant and trustworthy escorts and hobbyists. Just take some basic precautions and do some research and have fun.
Hobbyists Beware!
I hesitated until I had all the facts but now I have enough information that I feel comfortable making this post. This is an FYI post intended as a learning tool for new hobbyists and not intented to cast a negative light on any person. I will not provide any further information on the parties involved so don't bother to ask.
A known hobbyist received a envelope containing pictures of his car parked in front of his hotel room, as well as a picture of an escort leaving his room, along with a note asking for $50,000 or he would be subject to his employer and relatives being told of his hobbying. The hobbyist believes that he was tracked down through his license plate as the envelope was sent to the exact address on his vehicle registration (the vehicle is registered to his business) and it is not the street address of his business or his home address. The note indicated that all communications would be made via an email address. The hobbyist decided not to pay the sum requested and 3 months have gone by and there has been no further contact. He believes this is because he tracked down the escort potentially involved and made his feelings clear to her about what the outcome of this incident would be if it were to go further.
I am posting this to provide some suggestions on how to prevent this from happening. If any hobbyists have further suggestions then please post them in the thread so that we can share our best ideas. Here are my thoughts:
1. The escort advertised exclusively on Craiglist. There are plenty of reliable agencies and independents who are members of G****, and while G**** doesn't provide any guarantees, the members here have gone through some minimum requirements in order to "advertise" here.
2. With all of the known robberies and murders that have occured as a result of answering ads on Craiglist and other free classified advertising sites, I don't understand why anyone would take the risk but if you do then do some research. The escort potentially involved in this matter was a former agency escort who had received reviews when she was with the agency and as an independent. A simple search would have shown that the escort, and her boyfriend who serves as her driver, have a history of erratic behaviour.
3. Don't park your car directly in front of the room. Park in another area of the hotel or better yet across the street or down the block.
4. Always call from a private number or from the hotel. Never text. Those who believe that a mobile phone can't be traced are dead wrong, unless the mobile phone is prepaid and not registered.
5. Use hotels that are SP friendly and don't require you to register in your real name. Even a hotel ledger left opened at the front desk can be an issue if it has your real information on it.
6. Hide any valuables (jewelry, credit cards, cash except for the amount for the escort) or identification in the room, or better yet leave them locked in your car.
7. This one is obvious. Don't share any personal information with the escort. Keep your conversation pleasant but intentionally vague. You and her are there for a purpose and you don't know what is really going on in her life, or who is involved in her life, and what she is like outside of the time she is with you. She is selling a fantasy, which is what you are buying, and anything beyond that is at your peril.
I don't mean to sound too negative. I have enjoyed this hobby for many years and there are some pleasant and trustworthy escorts and hobbyists. Just take some basic precautions and do some research and have fun.