Here is a men's lounge thread on how to do some research.
http://www.eccie.net/showthread.php?t=238743
With the un-verified (like most of those advertising on Backpage and other low-end ad sites) there are many risks.
Research is extremely important to gents, just like a good screening process is extremely important to ladies.
SAFETY FIRST !!
Oh yeah, and always wear your hats, boys...