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I guess theortically LE could pm a girl here and say I'm Homer-x-x-xxxx (or whatever). They would check and see that the name is legit and schedule some time. I agree it is probably far fetched.
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Actually, it's not farfetched at all.... it happens all the time, with all types of bad guys. That's why I keep posting that you should NEVER give out your client id via any avenue other than through a Request sent through the P411 site.
Bad guys can, and do, post fake ads.
Example:
Sexy NEW 20 yr old blonde. Email me your P411!
For all you know, there is some big hairy guy behind this ad, collecting active client ids to use to rip off providers, or worse. So PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not give out you client id to anyone, other than a P411 provider, through a Request on the P411 site.
There are also instances of bad guys "spoofing" real providers, and the only way you can be absolutely certain you are contacting the correct person, is by keeping that contact within P411. ANYONE can post an ad as SuzyQ on BP!
Also, clients have been known to share their P411 account with a buddy or two, which is a no-no.... and I'm sorry to say there have been a couple of cases where a legitimate client has shared his client id, in attempt to get out of his own legal problems.
There are two ways for providers to protect themselves from both of the above scenarios.
1. Make all clients claiming to be a P411 member log into the site and send a Request, which proves he actually has access (the password) to the account
2. Have all clients you meet with show you that the information in their client id, matches with the information found on their identification.
John-01-a-0000
John would be a name on his driver's licence.
01 is the DAY he was born.
0000 should match the last four of SOMETHING he carried in his wallet (library card, insurance card, whatever).
I strongly encourage all providers to follow both of the above steps, to help keep themselves safe from harm. Clients who are concerned about providers seeing the rest of their "real life" info on the identification are suggested to cover it up somehow, so only the matching info and photo shows.
If a client has "made up" his client id, which is possible, and is unable (or unwilling) to prove he is the rightful owner of the client id when you meet, please stop the appointment right there. My position is that the provider should assume she is dealing with a bad guy in that case and the onus would then be on the client to resolve the situation, to prevent it from become an alert.
If you are a client who is already using a "made up" client id, and would us to correct it, please contact P411 and we can fix it for you.
I realize that lots of providers don't check id, and that's their own decision to make. However, more and more do, and I encourage them to do it. So I strongly recommend that you create your client ids with these small tidbits of real info, as asked. It will save everyone a load of grief eventually, and really what could be done with a first name and DAY of birth? Remember, we don't know the month or year, your last name, where you were born, where you live, none of that.
Always,
Gina
