The big scam agency thread

[blonde_amanda]

well i found them on google so i don't undertand how they get away with it....makes me and i am sure other girls so cross....it's so not fair...a friend of mine fell for it on friday and i was going to sign up next week but was going to ask you girls first before making a mistake.....

thanks so much for support and advice....im quite cross i want them kind of agencies to get prosecuted, is there a way of doing that? because i feel they should not be allowed to do what they are doing xx

[Chelly]

I'm just 18 and I know this is the job I want, but I am really nervous about starting up. Ive contacted one agency, but if whats said above is anything to go by then its probably not a real agency.
Could anyone offer me any advice on how I could get started?

Chelly
x

[Anika Mae]

Chelly, have you read the articles on the main site? http://www.saafe.info/

There's also some advice about selecting an agency here: http://www.saafe.info/main/index.php?topic=395.0

Please read through the information that's already been posted and then ask if you have specific questions remaining.

[Anika Mae]

Here's a nice example of how scammers can lull you into a false sense of security:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1594635.ece

"If we don't find you any bookings in 48 hours we'll refund your registration fee*. You can't loose!"

*After your registration period is up. Will you still be around here next year? We certainly won't.

Many scams boast that they don't charge a registration fee or something along those lines. It's always something like this and you lose your money just the same.

[xw5]

Ah, that story has spread to the national papers.

Yes, RNME are one of the 'we invent bookings so we can keep the money' scams.

Interestingly, they do refund it if you sue them ('him', I suspect, as their website may still have a broken link to a PC owned by a 'Gavin Marsden') which is at least a step up from the Spanish lot.

[cassie]

Hello ladies,

Am I glad I found you. I'm so new I haven't really a clue what to do and how to get started. I would like to sign up with an agency, as I am not confident enough to start out independent and don't have a clue yet how to start a website.

I have just spent a long time over a few phonecalls talking to a woman from escortopia.co.uk. She was extremely convincing, very friendly and chatty and had a plausable answer to every question and despite all your warnings I am very torn about signing up. If this is all BS it is really well done.

She has told me she has a booking, actually a triple booking, friday night dinner, saturday lunch and a 'personal booking for late saturday afternoon, for me; all with th same man - a 45 year old interior designer from Milan, called Roberto - who is interested in booking me when he hasn't see a picture, and only has the description of my height, hair, eyes, nationality, age and dress size? 

And adding up all his expenses he would be paying more than a grand, just to have dinner with me? Hmmm...

Of course before this can be finalised I have to part with ?395. 

reading this over I have to say I am such a fool - and still I am tempted  

How bad is that!

Anyway thanks for reading my ramblings, hope you don't mind giving me 'a leg up' as it were.

Cassie x

[anjali]

of course it sounds tempting and plausable, they are not going to say, "were ripping you off here" car dealers, estate agents, and bloody sales reps, are all the same

you are having doubts, and can see yourself its all suss, as you say, they know nothing about you, yet allready have a booking lined up, if they are serious, why not take you fee after the booking

Like my mother used to say, if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is, and thats definatley the case here, walk away keep your money, and hopefully you will find a legit agency soon

[cassie]

Thanks Anjali,
You are so right - i guess it's more wishful thinking that it could be so easy.
In reality I know nothing in life is that simple and though i haven't started I imagine being an escort is just as hard work as any job,but for a decent wage.
 Take care x

[strawberry]

You could tell them to take it out of the first fee! If it's so genuine then they shouldn't have a problem.

[cassie]

That was a good idea strawberry, they told me that I need to pay upfront to set up the ad for me and more importantly so I could get my 'escort license' and public liability insurance before I see my first client. Aparently also since the customer pays cash yhey felt it was too complicated.

Doesn't instill much confidence does it?

Will try a couple more agencies, but am considering independent.

[strawberry]

So it's too complicated for you to pay them via whatever method you were going to anyway? Obviously too complicated in the first place then.

[cassie]

Yeah, they were starting to get lame with their excuses - told them to forget it.

So it's trying to find a genuine agency or going indie. I would like to be independent, but don't have anyone for security or driver, which seems to be the minimum security for out calls.

[Anika Mae]

You can find someone here to swap security calls with. Not everyone uses drivers but I do for all home visits. When I started I didn't have anyone, so I only visited hotels. Obviously you miss out on some work, but it's an option.

[cassie]

Ah right, cool.
Which category should I post on to see if anyone fancies swapping security calls with me in the near future.

Basically I've handed in my notice, so I've got 3 and 1/2 weeks to get going

This is the first time I have done something without a guarantee it will work out and I am so excited.

I know this has nothing to do with the topic, but just had to say it anyway.

[Anika Mae]

Er, this category would be ok, or the Buddy System. Have you asked for a buddy? It could be helpful since you're new, and she might be able to check up on you.