That must have been so surreal that you HAD to laugh!
You did nothing wrong in asking for the screening process.
My advice would be to take the few short moments to research the ones you find on BP. A quick google search of the phone number. If all you get are ads for "reverse lookup", then don't waste your time.
Only take a chance on the ones that also have ads/reviews elsewhere.
OR
Leave BP alone and just stick with the ECCIE ladies that are Newbie Friendly until you have references built back up.