I would be very careful with forum escrow as multiple of them have ripped off users.
Only untrusted ones, some escrows have been around for a very long time and have escrowed millions of dollars sometimes in a single transaction and yet they have not scammed a single cent.
But happened more than once in the past, escrow once reputable now have negative trust. For example escrow.ms and Quickseller. There was at least one once reputable escrow that stole money, but I don't remember the name. Also accounts can be hacked
Positive trust and honest transactions surely increase the odds, but are not 100% warranty
Since you have been around for a very long time you remember those specific cases, I suppose the only thing we can say is that a trusted escrow can help you in your transactions but even then we must be careful.