Deposits, Pre-Payments, and iTunes Gift Cards

[big dale]

I've seen so many posts recently about all of the above tactics and frankly I'm shocked that anyone falls for that crap.

 

Just don't do it, fellas. Especially the iTunes scam. Think with your big head.

 

Thanks for coming to my TED Talk. LOL

[Bluefin]

Any legitimate provider won’t expect any money until the end of the massage.

 

If you encounter any that want any money up front in any form move on.

 

There are plenty of great masseurs to choose from who aren’t trying to rip you off.

[+ muscleboyinsd]

what do you think of a masseur who wants to be paid in gift cards AFTER your massage..? i ran into one like that, and i passed on the whole thing. it just seemed weird not to take cash

[Redwine56]

what do you think of a masseur who wants to be paid in gift cards AFTER your massage..? i ran into one like that, and i passed on the whole thing. it just seemed weird not to take cash

Who knows? Maybe he's experienced receiving counterfeit cash from a client.

[+ EVdude]

Who knows? Maybe he's experienced receiving counterfeit cash from a client.

Funny... went to my favorite East Village bakery tonight. They no longer accept cash because of getting too many counterfeit bills. Crazy!

[NeedUToKneadMe]

what do you think of a masseur who wants to be paid in gift cards AFTER your massage..? i ran into one like that, and i passed on the whole thing. it just seemed weird not to take cash

But did they want a picture of it “to verify that you are serious”? Because that’s how the scam goes. They ask to be paid in gift cards and then have you take a picture of the card and they just use it electronically.

[+ muscleboyinsd]

But did they want a picture of it “to verify that you are serious”? Because that’s how the scam goes. They ask to be paid in gift cards and then have you take a picture of the card and they just use it electronically.

 

We never got that far.. After he said he wanted gift cards I told him I wasn't interested anymore

[BeefyDude]

I have never heard of nor ever asked for a deposit or gift card.

 

I have been asked before the session for money up front. I hate doing that. I understand why but still think its tacky.

 

Those folks almost never get a tip from me

[+ muscleboyinsd]

Who knows? Maybe he's experienced receiving counterfeit cash from a client.

 

That's possible.. he wanted a "Steam" gift card. Said I could get it at Walmart or CVS. Oh, and he wanted $100 via gift card and then $50 cash... I just didn't understand the motivation for that, so I backed out.

[Bluefin]

I have been asked before the session for money up front. I hate doing that. I understand why but still think its tacky.

 

When this happens I tell them I’ll give them half before and half after the end of the agreed time of the massage.

[Typical]

That's possible.. he wanted a "Steam" gift card. Said I could get it at Walmart or CVS. Oh, and he wanted $100 via gift card and then $50 cash... I just didn't understand the motivation for that, so I backed out.

 

This is a whole lot of administration to get a massage, even if it's legitimate (which it is not).

[Kinected]

I have never heard of nor ever asked for a deposit or gift card.

 

I have been asked before the session for money up front. I hate doing that. I understand why but still think its tacky.

 

Those folks almost never get a tip from me

I wouldn't like that. Fortunately I haven't run across it yet.

 

Maybe the people who legit want gift cards are trying to not have a money trail? Honestly I'd prefer to pay with cashapp or zelle. I only get cash because most guys are fine with it but honestly don't like carrying it around. I usually plan in advance so instead of rushing to an atm before I head their way I have the cash a day or hours before. Even though I usually go straight to from my place to theirs, I'd still rather skip that step.

[+ nycman]

Just say no!

 

(I knew that bitch Nancy was on to something!)

[+ Mplsgymguy]

In addition to asking for an iTunes card (or other gift card) + cash, the other things I’ve noticed these guys have in common are that they’re from Eastern Europe, sometimes their “about me” description is not in English, and under “location” they list 3 or 4 cities hundreds of miles apart all on the same dates. Maybe they’re willing to travel to one of those cities but they don’t make that plain.

[BeefyDude]

I wouldn't like that. Fortunately I haven't run across it yet.

 

Maybe the people who legit want gift cards are trying to not have a money trail? Honestly I'd prefer to pay with cashapp or zelle. I only get cash because most guys are fine with it but honestly don't like carrying it around. I usually plan in advance so instead of rushing to an atm before I head their way I have the cash a day or hours before. Even though I usually go straight to from my place to theirs, I'd still rather skip that step.

 

Agree... I'm starting more and more to ask about sending cash electronically. You are right an added delay and hassle to stop at an ATM for cash. Then to find out its broke etc. Plus its two-thousand-freaking-19. So many apps to send money. The push back may be that some have fees on them, albeit small.

[Capitano]

I prefer cash, it's nobody's business to track what I spend it on.

I also suspect many masseurs prefer cash for tax and other traceability reasons, but that's their thing, I don't care, I tend to give cash even to those that take credit cards etc.

[big dale]

That's possible.. he wanted a "Steam" gift card. Said I could get it at Walmart or CVS. Oh, and he wanted $100 via gift card and then $50 cash... I just didn't understand the motivation for that, so I backed out.

So... yeah. That's the scam I am taking about. Exactly.

[big dale]

I wouldn't like that. Fortunately I haven't run across it yet.

 

Maybe the people who legit want gift cards are trying to not have a money trail? Honestly I'd prefer to pay with cashapp or zelle. I only get cash because most guys are fine with it but honestly don't like carrying it around. I usually plan in advance so instead of rushing to an atm before I head their way I have the cash a day or hours before. Even though I usually go straight to from my place to theirs, I'd still rather skip that step.

Agree... I'm starting more and more to ask about sending cash electronically. You are right an added delay and hassle to stop at an ATM for cash. Then to find out its broke etc. Plus its two-thousand-freaking-19. So many apps to send money. The push back may be that some have fees on them, albeit small.

 

Are you guys not concerned with the electronic trail you're leaving?

[Kinected]

No. People send money to each other on those apps all the time for a lot shadier reasons. I'm not important enough to worry about someone finding out I sent someone else a few bucks.

 

Most of the guys I use request cash. Which is fine. I'm not forcing anyone to accept any particular type of payment. However, if electronic payments are okay, usually stated on their ad or contact, I'll go with that route. Maybe if I was getting more than just massage I'd be worried. Honestly, no one cares what men do with other men. It is usually just when females get involved that there are concerns. However, I'm not DL so there's that.

[+ oldNbusted]

Funny... went to my favorite East Village bakery tonight. They no longer accept cash because of getting too many counterfeit bills. Crazy!

 

For business owners, it can also cut down on the staff skimming.

[BeefyDude]

I prefer cash, it's nobody's business to track what I spend it on.

I also suspect many masseurs prefer cash for tax and other traceability reasons, but that's their thing, I don't care, I tend to give cash even to those that take credit cards etc.

 

Yeah cuz these guys are honest and reporting their earnings as taxes... LOL

[BeefyDude]

Are you guys not concerned with the electronic trail you're leaving?

 

nope.. doesn't bug me. its my money to spend as i wish. I don't think someone is sitting there with an adding machine saying to himself "ok beefy dude spends this much on massage" Actually all they know is I gave someone money. They don't know for what etc etc. For me who cares. But I get that some others are not the same. So for them use cash... We have that freedom in our wonderful country

[big dale]

nope.. doesn't bug me. its my money to spend as i wish. I don't think someone is sitting there with an adding machine saying to himself "ok beefy dude spends this much on massage" Actually all they know is I gave someone money. They don't know for what etc etc. For me who cares. But I get that some others are not the same. So for them use cash... We have that freedom in our wonderful country

I meant more because you are leaving a digital trail right back to you, so if the escort gets busted and there's a broader investigation it leads right to your door. I'm not a paranoid person, but I am in IT and understand exactly how much of a trail your data leaves. Even on this board.

[BeefyDude]

it really doesn't bother me. Plus MOST if not all take cash only anyways. In our digital world, few will take electronic cash.

[Guest InthePines]

I meant more because you are leaving a digital trail right back to you, so if the escort gets busted and there's a broader investigation it leads right to your door. I'm not a paranoid person, but I am in IT and understand exactly how much of a trail your data leaves. Even on this board.

 

Well put, especially when you consider the number of federally-funded task force currently operating on the local levels that have led to the arrest of both providers and clients.