I certainly expect to find fakes in most of the forums as most of this is fantasy, videos and pictures. This doesn't bother me too much as many of the fakes and flakes add entertaining content.
However, the one place that shouldn't have and for which there is no valid reason to have fakes and flakes, is the "Dating" forum. The many and varied reasons have already been mentioned.
As far as verifying if one is "real", there is no reason a person couldn't use a cam (if they have one) and angle it so it doesn't show their face or take a still with the face blocked or out of frame and in either case, holding a sign with information or something that the other person requested so they know you're real.
If you are not showing your face or anything specifically identifying, what's the problem?
Of course, they need to do the same in return. This is NOT rocket science. There aren't many I-whatevers, smart phones, basic cell phones, lap-tops, tablets, etc. that don't have a camera built in and then there is always .... a real camera, that could be used. Digital cameras are pretty cheap these days, sometimes free as part of advertising promotions. The ones you can USB to your computer are cheap as well.
I don't buy the: "I can't afford a camera" thing, because if you can't afford a cheap digital, which you could probably find real cheap at a yard sale, You can't afford the gas or other travel expenses or to split a room or buy a ******* or whatever either, so why waste someone's time?
Then there is always the telephone which allows one to at least hear a voice.
For a "newbie", a little patience and "slack" should be given as long as they appear to be honest. If someone chickens out of a meeting or has a valid reason and has made the effort to notify the other party asap, and comes back and apologizes, fine. They get a second chance.
The is no reason to put up with someone who does this continually, though.
..much love..just having fun..
xoxx, Dana 
