Hi Jolene and welcome to SAAFE

There are lots of outcall screening posts on the forum, but they're scattered about and often tacked on threads about something else (there's also a large 'Deposits' thread, so I won't derail this one).

I ask for the full hotel reservation details, so full name and reservation number that I can check on the hotel's website. I don't visit private dwellings or any short stay accommodation that doesn't allow me to establish residency. If I did then I likely would take deposits - in my very limited experience punters understand this - I took a deposit for an outcall for the second or third time in twenty odd years a couple of weeks ago, because it was late at night and the hotel didn't have phones in the rooms (phoning the punter in his room before I set off so I know beyond doubt that he's there is another step).

The only thing I care about is avoiding a wild goose chase just to knock on some random person's door, but there'll always be the odd one who is genuine but falls asleep, or changes his mind and goes out/won't answer the door, or whatever. If you set out a few hoops for them to jump through you're minimising the risk, but you can never get rid of it altogether (which is why some people do take deposits, since something is better than nothing).

None of the sites I advertise on tell punters not to pay deposits, I don't think? I haven't really looked, to be fair.

I take a deposit for both incall and outcalls, before I started this I would require proof of the address or hotel booking;

Landline in phone directory I could look up and phone them on or recent utility bill (last 3 months and not a circular)

Surname and hotel booking number and if possible phone them on hotel phone in room

Regards hotels I always require room number before I arrive even if the punter is meeting me outside or in the bar. This is as much for for my security as it is to find him  - I do not disappear into a hotel without someone knowing where I am.