Everyone has dodgy calls, it comes with the territory - if you haven't had then yet I can garauntee you will. I've had them from *both* men and women! All too often the assumption is made that all men are sexual preditors, we aren't! So just because you've had one call don't mark everyman who calls suspect, and don't cut your potential market in half by banning all male clients.
A few things that I suggest can be done to help in these situations. Firstly if its your landline he called have a phone with Caller ID Display on it and an answerphone. If its a witheld number don't answer it, let the machine screen it. If its a genuine call you can pick it up or call back. Anyone genuinely interested in a treatment won't withold their number, or if they do (say calling form an office phone where the number is witheld) they will happily leave a number to call back on.
As soon as you suspect a call being dodgy ask them to call back as your busy / a client has just turned up. If they do call back and wish to make an appointment make the appointment for 2 - 3 days away and take a number to call back to confirm the appointment the day before / a few hours before. If they ask why you need their number explain it is just incase you need to let them know of a delay if your running late or for some reason you may have to cancel.
I now tend to use my mobile to take my calls, its easier to manage and as I'm often away from the office means I am easier to get hold of. I have a little system for storing my client numbers. All client names start with a z (they are then all at the end of my contact list) and I know they are clients. Then depending on what happened they have a code after the name.
DNA - Did Not Arrive
YUK - Don't accept appointments from this person
PRE - Must pre-pay for appointment
ENQ - Made enquiry, not booked
Anyone is marked with a DNA must be able to confirm the reason for not arriving or cancelling, and I usually (not always) require pre-payment for further appointments. YUK and PRE are fairly self-explanatory. ENQ is just a useful one for reference, I can get an idea of how many calls I'm getting and how many are converting to appointments.
Mat