that's a difficult thing.

You can of course do a google search and try to match them via IM name or email addy or whatever and see what else they've posted, but other than that, it really boils down to your gut instincts and what information you're able to get from them.

We aren't as cautious as Lee, but we do try and take reasonable precautions. And perhaps this is shortsighted, but I'm also a lot less likely to grant server access (of any sort) to someone outside the US, simply because I have fewer options (legally) if there's a problem. So far, at least, we've never been screwed over badly.