Hi

Escorting (including openly selling sex) isn't illegal so they have no one to report you to, really. If you're not registered to pay tax then I suppose it's possible that they might consider reporting you to the tax people, but they have no reason to suspect that (you're paying your money into the bank after all, which means you're not concealing your income) and no proof at all. If you're living or working from an address where you aren't allowed to escort (stuff in the lease about running a business from home or use for 'immoral purposes' for example) then again, they could cause trouble for you there but they have no reason to. They don't know whether you're working from the address they have on record or not, they don't know the terms of your lease, and it'd be a hassle for them to find out who to report you to.

So all that leaves is the police - and unless you're running an agency or brothel they will have absolutely no interest in you because, as I said, escorting is legal

I use a busniness account, thats an option if you're really worried. Perfectly normal to deposit cash into a business account.

Did you open the business bank account specifically to deposit the money from escorting? What did you tell the bank when you opened it, did you tell them what it was for or did you open it for a different self-employed activity? I too have a business bank account that I opened for my ltd, but I never had activity and hence never used it. I'm wondering now if I could use this business bank account to deposit escort money, would it cause trouble?

Quote from: Friday on 02 April 2011, 09:32:17 pm

I use a busniness account, thats an option if you're really worried. Perfectly normal to deposit cash into a business account.

Did you open the business bank account specifically to deposit the money from escorting? What did you tell the bank when you opened it, did you tell them what it was for or did you open it for a different self-employed activity? I too have a business bank account that I opened for my ltd, but I never had activity and hence never used it. I'm wondering now if I could use this business bank account to deposit escort money, would it cause trouble?

I don't know what trouble you think it's likely to cause provided you are clear with the bank (who love people to think they need business banking because it earns them a small fortune), but either way you really don't need a business account; if you want to use one fine, but the charges are horrendous every time you do anything at all (pay in money, use a debit card, write a cheque etc etc) and for a simple sole trader operation it's overcomplicated and totally unnecessary. There is a similar thread about this here.

As said on a similar thread opened here, if you want peace of mind, then register as self-employed and pay tax!

Alexandra, PurpleNails did not say or indicate anywhere in her post that she was not paying tax, and I read it as simple self consciousness in front of the bank staff, especially when dealing in largeish sums of cash is less common nowadays. Please stick to commenting on the information given rather than jumping to conclusions about the poster.

I pay cash in at the bank nearly every day and it doesn't bother me in the least, but then my bank all know what I do for a living and are extremely helpful as a result. There are plenty of reasons why you could be doing this - maybe you play a lot of poker at the casino  . Believe me, I doubt a couple of hundred a day would even get a second glance - don't stress about it.

As Krystal said, who do you think they can 'report' you to, and why? You're not doing anything wrong, and a little like we often say about the agencies, the bank need you more than you need them - if you're really concerned, take your business elsewhere and start fresh just paying in once a week, or something (assuming you have somewhere secure to keep your earnings in the meantime).

Did you open the business bank account specifically to deposit the money from escorting?

No I actually started my business acount for an Online Adult store, yes I told them thats what it was for. 

 Believe it or not there are 2 escorts I know of in Aberdeen who have at been taken aside and into the managers office and questioned about making regular cash payments into their (RBS to name and shame) accounts. I think they take the Proceeds of Crime seriously.

(One told the manager to politely go forth and the other said she had wealthy parents who always needed to top up her account due to her shoe buying habit)

I used to work for a bank and all staff are trained too report suspicious activity that could be money laundering. Thats why its best just to bite the bullet and get a business account. Banks also dont like people using personal accounts for business. If you're just an escort the fees should be low (as in all you should be dong is paying money in then transfering to a personal account) and they're tax deductable.

But you're not doing anything wrong.

Exactly - proceeds of crime? Money laundering? That's all just silly nonsense that neither you nor your bank need to be worrying about because as an independent sex worker you're breaking no laws; all you're doing is depositing the earningw of your cash-based business and, ideally, putting aside the money for your next tax bill into an ISA or something. If anyone questions you, you've got your bank records and tax records (if you've been working longer than a year) to prove it so you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Except maybe thinking about a good mortgage in the future.

If you're not paying tax then yes, you are breaking the law and yes, you will get caught. Best to register with HMRC asap.

I dunno if all banks offer this, but Barclays have a letterbox sort of thing to drop your cash off.

Just fill out the envelope and slip provided, tear off the receipt (keep it safe until you can confirm the money is in your account) and drop it in the box.

The money is deposited at lunch time and 3pm, or first thing the next morning if it's an after 3 drop off.

I just take a handful of envelopes and slips and fill them out in advance.

This saves queuing and the looks I sometimes get. I was once asked how I got the money, I blurted out casino winnings, no idea why but it made my buddy laugh!

XxX