Sorry, I wasn't clear. It's not Backpage who require the ID (I wouldn't have a problem with that.) It's what's required to buy Bitcoins off some random person.

I wonder why they are charging in AUD if they're in the Netherlands then?

I'm sorry, it sounded like backpage was asking for ID's now with credit card payment (I'm surprised that after the CEO's arrest  and with Trump administration coming they're not doing it yet). yeah, asking for ID to buy bitcoin is quite common as it's a very dodgy world, but like you said: "I wouldnt give my personal details to some Ukranian hacker".

Cracker charging in Australian $? that's weird, last time I bought ads from cracker they were charging in US $. It's really weird, because if you google cracker ads heaquarters/contact/info nothing comes out. Cracker is  a "mirror" or duplicate of Backpage, and I'm sure it's done on purpose just in case something happens to Backpage. I wouldn't be surprised if cracker headquarters is in Australia as precaution.

When I try this I get directed to pay by Bitcoin no option for USD
Did you start a totally new add / account
Or try to use your old one

I have a 6 year old account with backpage and when I tried to post today I only get the bitcoin option too. Weird. I'll send a message to Pam from backpage and ask her what's going on.

You cannot book and pay via Backpage. You need to sign into Cracker.com (make a new account if you don't have one) and you'll then have the option to fund your account via Aussie dollars. My ad cost $30 but I think it stays up a month.

Are you in the uk? because 30 aussie dollars for a month is veeeeeeeery cheap price, theyre charging 200 pounds for a month in london.

Yes I'm only here (Oxford) for 4 days so only got 4 reposts, but I did take sponsored.

Today I received an email from Dimitra at Cracker, saying they'd created an ad for me. In a separate email they sent me the link, and sure enough they have... They've nicked two of my Select an Escort photos and the text from my ad on there. Bit off? I've left it up, but I'm not very impressed.

Cracker is linked to Backpage, right?

Backpage did the same to me. Took my website photos and copy and paste description from viva street. But it got me work ad I carried on advertising with them. They had the decency to email me the login details and how to edit or delete the ad. It was accurate prices etc.

Fucking hell!

My phone has been off the hook by normal standards today, since the Cracker ad went live. It's not all due to that - one caller said he'd got my number from a magazine, and another from PTMU - but the majority have come from there as far as I can work out. Christ on a bike, what a bunch of morons. Wanting overnighters tonight, anal, calling from blocked numbers etc. etc. I shan't be paying them to renew it... 

Also, Vivastreet phoned me - again - after seeing the ad, not realising that they'd been in contact only a few weeks before. Bit desperate??