How to avoid being scammed / end up with a bad experience punting.
The very act of having a punt is a risk but that's what makes it exciting. That being said there are ways to avoid being scammed or having a really bad experience.
1. Classic rules apply - if it looks too good to be true it usually is. Price can be an indicator of this. An over the top example is $100 for 3 hours PSE with a super model might be a dead give away.
2. Trust your instincts - there will be small clues that we sometimes ignore. I get it, sometimes you have to take some risks for a punt but listen to your gut feeling.
3. Have some personal rules you try to stick to -
3.1 For me its no deposits most of the time (unless they are well documented and proven and i really want to see them, Sophie H is a good example) I have on rare occasion paid a deposit on a punt but i did so fully expecting to be ripped off. Once you acknowledge the risk, it makes it easier to accept if it does happen.
3.2 I don't use whatsapp, wechat, telegram ect ect, I try to always use someone with a phone number. A number doesn't guarantee legitimacy however it may limit your exposure to scammers ect.
Some may disagree and have had some great reliable punts from platforms but my experience has been mixed (open to any suggestions btw).
3.3 Don't feel pressured to make a deal - pressure loading is the hallmark of a scam, its usually some time constraint, location issue (hotel check in /out) roommate, rent money ect.
3.4 Always be polite, respectful even if you suspect a scam. I usually just drop comms, block and move on instead of getting into a drawn out slug fest.
3.5 Respond to ads with what look like legit pictures and good info. The more inconsistent the info the more likely it is it will be disorganised or a scam.
4. Never be afraid to walk - yes you may receive some flack (threats of a ban / labeled a timewaster) but ultimately you are the customer however, for whatever reason you decide to walk, it can always be covered by "Didn't feel a connection", "we didn't gel" or something along those lines.
When walking from a punt that has some organisation or a crew behind it - this can result in a ban so making a small offering of cash can help smooth over the aborted punt.
My experience is most crews accept a walk out here and there. If you make a it a habit expect a ban.
5. Negotiate clearly and be clear on what you want and how much. Lock in extras and cost. Helpful if you can refer back to a text with what was agreed upon especially when dealing with booking agents who book on behalf of the WL's. Sometimes mix ups happen so good comms and negotiation is important.
6. Scams aren't always done remotely with money transfers, deposits ect. I was scammed in person once with the person talking the cash then engineering a way to escape without services rendered. Pretty rare but some are brazen enough to do this.
7. Always be on the look out for what I call the scam point. The point at which they need insert the mechanism need to scam you - for example they will chat, answer all your questions, talk extras , prices, everything will be going well until it comes to the meet up time or location.
This is usually where they pause or have trouble and may try to slow down the booking. This is the scam point where they introduce the problem or way to scam you - airbnb booking is due, landlord is coming to collect rent so can you send me cash prior to the booking (yes that's a real one ive had lol) need money for a hotel.
Most legit WL's have booking processes that are straight forward and easy, its pretty straightforward it shouldn't be hard, drawn out and problem after problem.
In the case of the time I was scammed in person the girl had a lengthy drawn out booking process that involved sending a picture, meeting in a public place and lots of questions from her which in hindsight was her making sure she wasn't meeting an angry punter she's scammed previously (yes this girl used real pics of herself and posted ads every few months).
Once you hit the scam point just block and move on.
8. Do your homework, sometimes you have to put in the work for a good punt / to avoid being scammed. Read the ads, look for clues of a scam, pay attention to detail.
Pictures and how the ad is written can be a dead give away. Google search the phone number, reverse image search the photos, check the forums (actually do a search first to avoid the "
mate search the forum she's mentioned plenty here" response.
I've even been surprised by a simple google search with the name, platform and city - coco locanto perth for example.
9. Don't Doxx yourself, just like the ladies themselves protect their privacy, do that same. Take precautions and don't leave yourself open to blackmail / other harassment.
Disclaimer - some may disagree with some of the advice here but Its aimed at newer punters please contribute your own ideas / methods.
The very act of having a punt is a risk but that's what makes it exciting. That being said there are ways to avoid being scammed or having a really bad experience.
1. Classic rules apply - if it looks too good to be true it usually is. Price can be an indicator of this. An over the top example is $100 for 3 hours PSE with a super model might be a dead give away.
2. Trust your instincts - there will be small clues that we sometimes ignore. I get it, sometimes you have to take some risks for a punt but listen to your gut feeling.
3. Have some personal rules you try to stick to -
3.1 For me its no deposits most of the time (unless they are well documented and proven and i really want to see them, Sophie H is a good example) I have on rare occasion paid a deposit on a punt but i did so fully expecting to be ripped off. Once you acknowledge the risk, it makes it easier to accept if it does happen.
3.2 I don't use whatsapp, wechat, telegram ect ect, I try to always use someone with a phone number. A number doesn't guarantee legitimacy however it may limit your exposure to scammers ect.
Some may disagree and have had some great reliable punts from platforms but my experience has been mixed (open to any suggestions btw).
3.3 Don't feel pressured to make a deal - pressure loading is the hallmark of a scam, its usually some time constraint, location issue (hotel check in /out) roommate, rent money ect.
3.4 Always be polite, respectful even if you suspect a scam. I usually just drop comms, block and move on instead of getting into a drawn out slug fest.
3.5 Respond to ads with what look like legit pictures and good info. The more inconsistent the info the more likely it is it will be disorganised or a scam.
4. Never be afraid to walk - yes you may receive some flack (threats of a ban / labeled a timewaster) but ultimately you are the customer however, for whatever reason you decide to walk, it can always be covered by "Didn't feel a connection", "we didn't gel" or something along those lines.
When walking from a punt that has some organisation or a crew behind it - this can result in a ban so making a small offering of cash can help smooth over the aborted punt.
My experience is most crews accept a walk out here and there. If you make a it a habit expect a ban.
5. Negotiate clearly and be clear on what you want and how much. Lock in extras and cost. Helpful if you can refer back to a text with what was agreed upon especially when dealing with booking agents who book on behalf of the WL's. Sometimes mix ups happen so good comms and negotiation is important.
6. Scams aren't always done remotely with money transfers, deposits ect. I was scammed in person once with the person talking the cash then engineering a way to escape without services rendered. Pretty rare but some are brazen enough to do this.
7. Always be on the look out for what I call the scam point. The point at which they need insert the mechanism need to scam you - for example they will chat, answer all your questions, talk extras , prices, everything will be going well until it comes to the meet up time or location.
This is usually where they pause or have trouble and may try to slow down the booking. This is the scam point where they introduce the problem or way to scam you - airbnb booking is due, landlord is coming to collect rent so can you send me cash prior to the booking (yes that's a real one ive had lol) need money for a hotel.
Most legit WL's have booking processes that are straight forward and easy, its pretty straightforward it shouldn't be hard, drawn out and problem after problem.
In the case of the time I was scammed in person the girl had a lengthy drawn out booking process that involved sending a picture, meeting in a public place and lots of questions from her which in hindsight was her making sure she wasn't meeting an angry punter she's scammed previously (yes this girl used real pics of herself and posted ads every few months).
Once you hit the scam point just block and move on.
8. Do your homework, sometimes you have to put in the work for a good punt / to avoid being scammed. Read the ads, look for clues of a scam, pay attention to detail.
Pictures and how the ad is written can be a dead give away. Google search the phone number, reverse image search the photos, check the forums (actually do a search first to avoid the "
mate search the forum she's mentioned plenty here" response. I've even been surprised by a simple google search with the name, platform and city - coco locanto perth for example.
9. Don't Doxx yourself, just like the ladies themselves protect their privacy, do that same. Take precautions and don't leave yourself open to blackmail / other harassment.
Disclaimer - some may disagree with some of the advice here but Its aimed at newer punters please contribute your own ideas / methods.
