Guide to Avoiding Potential Backpage Scams.
Hi all, there's been a lot of discussion about BP scams being on the rise with CL going dark on adult services, and I thought it might be good to write out a little something that would be beneficial for the BP neophyte to help skirt certain pitfalls. Call these 'Rules to Avoid BP Scams' if you will. Special disclosure: this is only based off of my own and a few others observations since the CL invasion, so don't take this as the gospel, at least, not yet. ;) This is a work in progress, so please bear that in mind.
What you should have before venturing into the wonderful world of BP responding are the following: One Hobbyist Email Address, not associated to you in any way that's obvious, through a service like yahoo, Gmail, hotmail, etc.; One Hobbyist Prepaid Cell Phone, which cannot be tracked back to a person's ID or credit card information; and a significant amount of time looking over your area's BP ads, searching for patterns, and being able to verify ad information through the use of such tools as Google, Tineye, and informational sites, such as this one here. Once you have these tools, you're ready to begin your hunt for the Backpage Diamond In the Rough!
What to look out for regarding Ad Title
1. Questionable: Specialized symbols in the ad title (Hearts, squigglies, etc.) Many times, ads that take this approach are trying too hard, and are hiding a nasty truth inside. Could mean that it's an agency playing at being an independent lass, or it could mean that it's only Bubba waiting for you when you get to that meeting spot, and he's eager to relieve you of your wallet, watch, and that cool lucky gold chain that your weird uncle gave you from the 70s. The symbols themselves shouldn't be a deal-breaker, but should be a yellow flag of caution for what might be found within.
2. Questionable: Generalized area for location is not filled in. This could be that the lass was in a hurry and forgot to fill it in, or, it could mean that it's a generic ad that is placed in every major burg in a 3 state area and the poster doesn't want you to know that it's a fishing expedition for contact info. Naming just the city? Fine. Naming an area of the city? Fine. Listing 'Outcall'? Possibly an agency, so keep that in mind. Again, the omission of the location should be a yellow flag on its own, and care should be taken if/when you decide to look at the ad itself.
3. Totally Fine: Stating a name in the title. The first rule in advertising is creating brand recognition. With so many ads, and so many possible choices, finding a lass by name can be difficult for the BP neophyte. Stating in the ad title a business name or personal, stage name, can help potential clients find your ads, again, and again. The lass being that confident in her 'brand' also helps as it's much more likely that reviews will be available, under that name, on sites such as this one, which'll often save you countless worries in the long run.
What to look out for regarding Ad Text
1. HIGHLY Questionable: Overly aggressive, sexual terms used in an ad should be a red flag for most any ad. Discretion is highly sought for both client and provider, and if something is spelled out in black & white in the ad, then it's much easier for it to be used against you in a court of law later. Move on to the next ad, as anyone that foolish is either LE, or best left alone for simple state of stupidity.
2. Questionable: HTML page encoding within an ad. Often used by multi-city posters to save time when considering posting a large text volume, graphically enhanced ad. If it's not home-grown, then it's often a scam. This doesn't hold 100% true, but, after looking through over 30 BP adult entertainment advertising areas, I've only seen 1 independent using this route for their advertising that is legit, and 30+ ads for the likes of Fling.com fakery.
3. Questionable: No phone number listed in the ad. Spelling a number out? No problem. If the ad states to email first and a phone number will be provided later, it's either a potential phishing scam, or a very cautious lass. Proceed with caution, if you proceed at all. Be sure and use that non-associative email address though!
What to look out for regarding Pictures
1. SCAM: If an ad states that the only way to contact the lass listed is by instant messenger, with the messenger ID and info on the pictures, then this is a scam to phish email addresses and try and get you to sign up for 'pay for verification' websites. Run, do not walk, to the next ad.
2. Questionable: Ad has varying styles of pics, quality of pics, or less than the standard 4 pics. If the pics look like they might be stolen from a co-eds Facebook page of their trip to San Tropez? They probably are. If the pics are way too professional, and are cropped as in a method which might cut off a website watermark for Bootieshakers.com, they're probably stolen from a pro site. If there is only 1 or 2 pics, and they're 90% likely to not be of the same lass (and there's no mention of working tandem with another lass in the ad), then question it. Single pic ads are very often an escort agency using a generic, swiped pic. Pics from anything that doesn't appear to be meant for the act of advertising on BP, in this day and age of digital cameras being available for cheap, question it. If you still wish to enquire further, please do, but ask for a most recent pic, and if received, compare it to the advertisement. It'll likely be yet another single, swiped, pic.
3. Totally Fine: Pics which obscure faces. Many lasses desire discretion, and that's fine. You can expect it's probably around 50% wanting discretion within escort ads, and 75% within bodyrub. The more fiscal compensation expected to be received, often (but not always), the more likely the lass is to show their face along with their general physical shape within a pic in the initial advertisement.
I'll add more to this, and amend certain areas, as time and consideration allows. Feedback is always welcome. Thanks!
Jay
Cindy and ashley on preston
I'm looking for info on cindy and ashley who work are Carla's. I have seen both jenny and erin from there and have been pleased. I'm hoping someone from there will offer more than the standard hs.
Thanks