Yeh, agree with xw5, reminds me of some of the BS the agency I worked for came out with - it is very abusive and manipulative behaviour to lure people into feeling secure with them and being too scared to work independently. My agency driver gave me a 'people who work on their own are so stupid, it's so dangerous, what would they do without a driver outside? blah blah' talk on my first night. Was just sat their thinking yep, because it's SO SAFE being sat in a car with a stranger for hours and hours and not knowing the address of where I'm even going

This agency sounds like one I wouldn't touch with a barge pole

Saying if you nick clients they'll share you're details with all other agencies to stop you working?!?
Firstly they don't need to even know who you are, they inly need your working name
Secondly, all girls do this everyone knows that and another agency would more than likely not give a shit about gossip, they're only ever fuelled by greed

Also surely the agency have told you how to pay them, or you can ask them? I've worked at all fdifferent ones, some collect daily others weekly and another one I've done a transfer