Ad Check Guide

Verifying online ads before reaching out is one of the most important steps in staying safe. Many listings are misleading or designed to scam new hobbyists. This guide explains how to check the legitimacy of an ad, identify warning signs, and protect yourself from fraud or unsafe situations.

Note: This guide is for educational purposes only. It does not endorse any illegal activity and should not be considered legal advice or a guarantee of safety.

Your best defense is your own judgment. No matter how professional or appealing an ad looks, pause and evaluate it carefully.

Ask yourself:

• Does the offer sound unrealistic or too good to be true?
• Do the photos look overly edited or mismatched?
• Does the tone or language seem off or repetitive?

If anything feels wrong, walk away. It is never worth the risk.

Search the phone number, username, or email address listed in the ad. This step can quickly reveal whether the ad has a traceable history.

Suggested tools:

• Google (try different formats, with or without spaces or dashes, and use quotes for exact matches)
• DuckDuckGo or Bing
• Trusted hobbyist forums, review boards, and directories

See the Helpful Websites & Directories page for a curated list of recommended research tools and sites.

Signs of legitimacy:

• Consistent details across multiple listings or platforms
• Positive reviews or mentions from verified hobbyists
• Longstanding online presence with matching information

Red flags:

• No search results or review history
• Conflicting details between ads or platforms
• Reports or warnings on scam-alert sites or forums

Scammers often steal photos from models, creators, other listings, or generate fake ones. Always run a reverse image search to confirm whether the pictures are original or have a history.

Useful tools:

• Yandex Images (often effective for finding matches in various contexts)
• TinEye
• Google Images or Google Lens app

Tips for better results:

• Search every photo individually, not just one
• Try flipping, cropping, or editing images slightly before uploading
• Screenshot embedded photos that cannot be saved directly
• Use multiple tools, as each has different strengths

What to look for:

• No matches: Possibly original or newly created, but use caution and combine with other checks
• Older ads, forums, or social media with matching photos: Often a good sign of real history
• Modeling pages, stock photo sites, or unrelated social profiles: Likely stolen

AI-generated images are increasingly used in scam ads. These often have no reverse matches, which can itself be a warning sign when combined with other issues. See the AI section below for detection tips.

If the ad appears legitimate after initial checks, take a cautious and respectful approach when sending your first message.

Use a VOIP number such as Google Voice or TextNow to protect your privacy. See the Using VoIP, Texting Apps & Burner Phones for Privacy page for setup guidance and recommendations. Some providers block VOIP numbers, but that alone does not make them a scam.

Best practices:

• Keep your message short, polite, and low-pressure
• Do not mention money, specific services, or explicit terms in initial contact
• Ask only basic questions about availability, general location, and verification options
• Respect their time and any screening requests they may have

Warning signs in responses:

• Demands for deposits or gift cards before any meeting
• Scripted, aggressive, or overly salesy responses
• Refusal to answer simple, reasonable questions
• Immediate pressure to move the conversation off-platform or to another app

If any of these appear, pause or disengage.

Scammers ask for a “deposit” to secure an appointment or verify your intent. Once the money is sent, they disappear or make further demands. Unless you are dealing with a verified and well-reviewed provider with a long history of positive feedback, never send money before meeting in person.

These scams rely on fear. After replying to a fake ad, you may receive threatening messages from someone claiming to be a cartel member, handler, or enforcer demanding payment. They often send graphic images or claim to have your personal information.

These messages are almost always automated or scripted, not personal. The threats are fake. No one is watching you or coming after you.

Do not reply, do not send money, and block the number immediately. If you receive one, it almost always means the ad was fake.

See the Scams & Threats page for more details on recognizing and responding to these situations.

Ads with flawless, glamour-style images often use stolen photos from social media, modeling sites, or other providers, or they are fabricated. Reverse image search can expose these instantly. If there are no reviews or other verifications to support the ad, assume the listing is fake and move on.

Some ads are designed to provoke explicit conversations or admissions. Be cautious of contacts that:

• Respond instantly and agree to everything without hesitation
• Push sexual or transactional discussions early
• Refuse reasonable verification or act evasive about basic details

Never discuss explicit services, exact acts, or money in writing. If something feels off, stop responding and do not proceed.

Some verified or established providers may request light screening, references, or small deposits to prevent no-shows and ensure mutual safety. This is common and not automatically a scam if they have:

• Verified or long-standing listings on trusted platforms
• Consistent photos, details, and positive reviews from multiple hobbyists
• Professional, clear, and respectful communication
• Reasonable boundaries and screening practices that apply to everyone

Trust and discretion go both ways. If you are unsure about a provider or their requests, seek advice from trusted community members before proceeding.

AI-generated photos are increasingly common in scam ads. These images often look realistic at first glance but contain subtle errors. Common signs include:

• Asymmetrical faces, mismatched eyes, or unnatural eye reflections
• Extra, missing, or distorted fingers, hands, or limbs
• Unnatural skin textures, lighting, shadows, or blurred backgrounds
• Warped text, signs, tattoos, or jewelry in the image
• Inconsistent hairlines, ears, or proportions, especially in close-ups or complex poses

If an image looks slightly “off” or too perfect in ways that feel artificial, assume it may be generated and avoid the ad. Pure AI images frequently return no reverse image matches, which should raise suspicion when other red flags are present.

Detection is getting harder as AI improves, so always use multiple verification methods together rather than relying on any single check.

Well-known websites and apps still host a mix of legitimate and fraudulent content. Platform reputation or popularity does not equal safety. Always run your own verification steps, even if the ad appears on a familiar or seemingly established site.

If you decide to move forward with any appointment after thorough checks:

• Tell a trusted friend your general area, expected time, and duration
• Park in a public or nearby visible location and note the exact address
• Leave immediately if you feel uncomfortable at any point
• Avoid bringing large amounts of cash or unnecessary valuables
• Keep your phone fully charged, accessible, and on silent if needed
• Stay calm, polite, and alert throughout

Safety always comes first. You can walk away at any point. If something goes wrong, refer to the What to Do If Police Show Up page for guidance.