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The screening is to make sure they have had or plan to have counseling (which is mandated by our state, anyway) as well as making sure that their needs are met and they are advocated for in their home state prior to connecting w/us. Whether that be medical, psych, legal. That is how we chose to counteract the "wild west" of the 'net.
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Well that part makes sense. Of COURSE anyone who sends money or considers themselves matched without involving adoption professionals is clearly making themselves a huge target - what I don't understand is why you said it had to do with YOUR INCOME???? I don't think scammers worry too much about that - I know people who saved, and scrimped, and mortgaged and got taken for it all...
Our first adoption was via the internet - it was a private adoption. We needed to take a few legal steps prior to recieving proof of pregnancy, counseling verification, and an assessment of her intent while still pregnant. And, we did not consider ourselves "matched" until that was all in place - then we started making real plans to travel (and what a trip is was!). The only agency involvement was to complete our homestudy. Our agency does sound much like yours - they do not advertise and have only facilitated 2 matches in the last year. Most matches/adoptions from connections that adoptive and birth families make themselves via other sources (and often through the internet).
Our 2nd adoption, wound up being through an agency we were signed with as a non-contracted client. BUT prior to that any contacts I had, I referred to our agency and/or attorney (I generally gave them the choice). I still would talk to them but when they didn't contact someone professionally - I wrote them off as a potential match. When people asked me for money, I told that VA (where I live) is very strict on expenses, and that they would need to talk to our agency/attorney about what was legally allowable. That was generally the end of those conversations - not saying they were all scams, some people genuinely need help, and in our state that is tough to do - legally anyway!
What it comes down to is that the internet is great, but expectant and adoptive parents need to verify, verify, verify - just like they would with any information.