Credit Card Payments? If you take them - what service do you use?

Naomi4u's Avatar

In this business and knowing how pissy SOME guys can get, he could fight the charges and most likely win. Meaning, you're out the money. Sure you can blacklist him, but its not going to stop the fact that you're out money. Originally Posted by MsElena
How do you think that escort agencies that have been around for years are able to accept credit cards? Escort accounts are considered high risk accounts and believe it or not there are companies that protect us from guys like these. Just fyi...

Taking credit cards in this business is a bad idea. I don't care if you pay your taxes or not. Not only could local LE get into your business, but FEDS could very easily pressure you with other "laws broken."
Taking credit card is not a bad idea. That is like saying paying taxes in this business is a bad idea. Every successful business should accept credit cards imho. I think it's a smart move but I would tell the lady to take a tax course before making such move.

Accepting prepaid credit cards from Walmart/walgreens/etc. is easier and no damn paper trails.
Think again.

Remember folks, this business is all about discretion and credit cards are NOT discrete.
I somewhat agree...
Taking credit card is not a bad idea. That is like saying paying taxes in this business is a bad idea. Every successful business should accept credit cards imho. I think it's a smart move but I would tell the lady to take a tax course before making such move. Originally Posted by Naomi4u
Every person in the US, INCLUDING ESCORTS, should pay their fair share of income taxes. Being arrested and jailed for tax evasion is a lot more of a penalty than being arrested and jailed for prostitution. There are ways of filing your taxes w/o disclosing the illegal nature of your income.

IMHO, taking a cc is not so good an idea. But each person must make that decision. Yes, you may be running a "successful business" but it's not a successful LEGAL business (unless, perhaps in Nevada). Making a paper trail in an illegal basis forms a lot of traps for the unwary.
London Rayne's Avatar
Here's how I have seen this done...

The girl works for an agency and they accept credit cards. She literally has to carry the stupid machine to the appt. and make a copy. She then has him sign some waiver stating all sales are final and also has to make sure his I.D. is actually him...the only way the charge can be contested is if it's a stolen cc and the owner has that right. Once the guy signs the document saying he agrees to pay x amount, it's quite difficult to contest it without outing who he is.

I don't know all the ins and outs, but I know it has worked quite well for many. I would never use it as my sole source though being cash is always the better way to go.

If you report every charge you get on a cc and have a legit business site they use to make those transactions, it's really hard to prove you made the money another way. Not impossible, just harder.

I know many women who have two sites. One for this, and another for say a personal training or housecleaning business. They always run the cc transactions through the business site. Now of course this is still a felony, but they also have to prove the charges were not for what was specified.
Naomi4u's Avatar
Every person in the US, INCLUDING ESCORTS, should pay their fair share of income taxes. Being arrested and jailed for tax evasion is a lot more of a penalty than being arrested and jailed for prostitution. There are ways of filing your taxes w/o disclosing the illegal nature of your income. Originally Posted by charlestudor2005


Refer to the begining of my post where I encourage others to pay for their taxes. Ok.. no more on that.

IMHO, taking a cc is not so good an idea. But each person must make that decision. Yes, you may be running a "successful business" but it's not a successful LEGAL business (unless, perhaps in Nevada). Making a paper trail in an illegal basis forms a lot of traps for the unwary.
Makes sense...

Now Charles just FYI The only city where prostitution is LEGAL is Carson city, Nevada. Prostitution is not legal in all of Nevada. Contrary to popular belief it is not even legal in Vegas.
Now Charles just FYI The only city where prostitution is LEGAL is Carson city, Nevada. Prostitution is not legal in all of Nevada. Contrary to popular belief it is not even legal in Vegas. Originally Posted by Naomi4u
Thx. Didn't know that. I try to learn one new thing every day...and I try to learn it as early in the day as possible, so I'm done for that day.
Naomi4u's Avatar
Thx. Didn't know that. I try to learn one new thing every day...and I try to learn it as early in the day as possible, so I'm done for that day. Originally Posted by charlestudor2005
I'm a good teacher.
shorty's Avatar
Could I get private tutoring??
Naomi,

Your response to me is quite condescending. I'm not stupid, I'm older than you and I have been in this business a lot longer than you.

I have worked for an agency before that accepted CC's, hell the lady who owned that agency was a hooker for years. She mentored me and taught me very well.

Yes, there are companies who do take on escort companies for CC transactions because it is high risk, but one of the many reasons for that high risk is because of the charge backs. Guys do try to get a freebie and fight the charge. The excuse isn't always stolen card either. I've heard, "services not rendered, she didn't stay for the agreed upon time, etc."

Its a bad idea for me and others, maybe not you. But, if its such a good idea for you....why don't you accept credit cards?

The paper trail from a prepaid visa gift card isn't the same as if you used an actual credit card where the statement ends up in hobbyists home....where his SO lives and usually sees the bills.

You somewhat agree on what part of my statement:
"Remember folks, this business is all about discretion and credit cards are NOT discrete."

Last I checked, my credit card company keeps track of my spending and yes, this business is about discretion. If its easy for me to get ahold of the CC company and ask to find out more info about a charge, how easy will it be for a spouse to do it? Trust me, when wives even think their husbands are messing around, they will dig and dig for information.

All of my posts are based upon my opinions and I'm not trying to force them on anyone. But, as I've said before....sometimes it does pay to listen to ladies who have been in this business a lot longer than you.
Naomi4u's Avatar
What does age have to do with anything MsElana? Age does not necessarily meaN that you know it all. I was not trying to insult you. My apologies. I just went back and read.. I am sorry. You worked for an agency for years? Wonderful. I was an independent adult internet model for years and worked with a lot with payment processors. I learned the hard way that paypal was not adult friendly. Escort merchant accounts are not high risk because of the volume of sales. More sales .. more opportunity for chargebacks..

My initial post states that I am looking into accepting credit cards. I know what payment processor to use if I want to sell pictures, posters of myself but not for this type of business. I have also pm'd other ladies in the past few days on this subject.

I have also advised ladies that have been in the business longer than me. There are ladies that have been in the business longer than me and they still forget to shave their legs before each appointments. Just because I am younger than you does not mean I have less knowledge Elana. I don't appreciate being talked down to either. Everyone knows I love a good debate. I did not mean to insult you or anyone. I said what I said with a lot of love and hugs. I have nothing but the utmost respect for you. Maybe I should use lighter words or respond with one line sentences ...
burkalini's Avatar
Why would a guy be idiot enough to charge a session on a cc. It leaves a forever trail. I'm not married and would still never do it. Ten years from now LE can still bring it up. Dumb
CC's won't be for everyone, but consider this:
1) topless maid service. She comes over and starts "cleaning" topless and this sorta progress from here.
2) I have seen Spa's that take CC's for "lingerie modeling" guy pays a FEE for a "session", goes into the room with the lady who knows what type of session he paid for and delivers in a private room
3) "Private Dance lessons" need I say more?
4) Massage therapist - again... need I say more?

what happens BCD is just that... BCD
Naomi4u's Avatar
CC's won't be for everyone, but consider this:
1) topless maid service. She comes over and starts "cleaning" topless and this sorta progress from here.
2) I have seen Spa's that take CC's for "lingerie modeling" guy pays a FEE for a "session", goes into the room with the lady who knows what type of session he paid for and delivers in a private room
3) "Private Dance lessons" need I say more?
4) Massage therapist - again... need I say more?

what happens BCD is just that... BCD Originally Posted by Spirit13
Honey,

I worked for an agency for 6 months and most of my calls were credit card calls. For someone to say it is dumb for someone to pay with a credit card? Come on. Clearly there are men out there that prefer to use it. If not, I am sure the OP will not be asking. Topless maid is a superb example.
xoxo,
Naomi
Honey,

I worked for an agency for 6 months and most of my calls were credit card calls. For someone to say it is dumb for someone to pay with a credit card? Come on. Clearly there are men out there that prefer to use it. If not, I am sure the OP will not be asking. Topless maid is a superb example.
xoxo,
Naomi Originally Posted by Naomi4u
Its all about the "packaging" hon.... I work in I.T. and if you offer a service that is vaguely provable.... sky is the limit.
One more down side from the hobbyists standpoint.

A lot of mention has been made of prepaid CCs. Or even Green Dot. Nowadays, as I understand it, federal law requires you to register your real name and SSN even on these cards. Part of the Patriot Act, as I understand it.

About a year ago I started to purchase a GD card. Then I read the activation instructions. Never purchased it. I walked into a customer service counter at a grocery store chain and got a money order. They printed it in blank...for $.99. The cost of purchasing the GD card was $4.95, much more than the money order.

Just my .02.
Naomi4u's Avatar
Very well said Charles!

Here's how I have seen this done...

The girl works for an agency and they accept credit cards. She literally has to carry the stupid machine to the appt. and make a copy. She then has him sign some waiver stating all sales are final and also has to make sure his I.D. is actually him...the only way the charge can be contested is if it's a stolen cc and the owner has that right. Once the guy signs the document saying he agrees to pay x amount, it's quite difficult to contest it without outing who he is.

I don't know all the ins and outs, but I know it has worked quite well for many. I would never use it as my sole source though being cash is always the better way to go.

If you report every charge you get on a cc and have a legit business site they use to make those transactions, it's really hard to prove you made the money another way. Not impossible, just harder.

I know many women who have two sites. One for this, and another for say a personal training or housecleaning business. They always run the cc transactions through the business site. Now of course this is still a felony, but they also have to prove the charges were not for what was specified. Originally Posted by London Rayne
I totally missed this. When I worked for the agency back in 09 I didn't have to carry around a machine but I had to carry around credit card slips and have him sign it. I will have to ask my escort agency owner friend how he does it. I will most definitely look into this. You've been a big help! Thank you!