Adoption scams are uncommon, but they do happen. Both would-be adoptive parents and expectant moms may be targeted by unscrupulous people. By preying on their emotional vulnerability, scammers can manipulate victims into parting with significant sums of money, only to be left heartbroken and devastated.
Typical adoption scams
Adoption scammers may pretend to have a child available for adoption, or they may pretend to be adoption professionals ready to help expectant moms or prospective adoptive parents. Either way, they hold out hope while they extort payments.
Scammers may claim to have a child available for adoption but require additional funds to cover unexpected expenses. These requests can continue indefinitely, as scammers find new ways to justify the need for more money. Victims may become so emotionally invested in the adoption process that they are willing to overlook the red flags and continue to send funds.
Sometimes there is no child. In other cases, there may be an expectant mother involved, but her baby is promised to multiple sets of prospective adoptive parents.
One common tactic employed by scammers is to create a false sense of urgency. They may claim that a child is in immediate danger or that the adoption process is about to close, pressuring victims to make hasty decisions. This sense of time constraint can cloud judgment and make it difficult for victims to recognize the red flags.
Another tactic involves creating a fictitious adoption agency or intermediary. Scammers may establish a seemingly legitimate organization with a professional-looking website and contact information. They may even provide false references or testimonials to bolster their credibility. Once a victim has gained trust in the organization, they are often asked to pay upfront fees for various services, such as legal fees, travel expenses, or medical examinations.
Red flags
Avoid dealing with individuals who claim to have a child available for adoption. Legitimate adoptions are typically handled through licensed adoption agencies or attorneys. Someone who contacts you directly may have gathered information about you from social media or other sources, even if they say that they are a friend of a friend.
Be cautious if someone promises you a fast, cheap adoption process. The adoption process takes time and there are costs involved. Part of this is the result of the amount of care taken to protect the safety and wellbeing of all the parties involved.
Be wary of upfront fees. Legitimate adoption agencies typically do not require significant upfront payments. If you are asked to pay a large sum of money before the adoption process begins, it is probably a scam.
As a general rule, you should not send money directly to an expectant mom. In Arkansas, adoptive parents are allowed to help the expectant mom with her expenses, but the arrangements should be made through your adoption attorney, not as a direct request for funds.
If an expectant mom won’t meet with medical professionals, counselors, or your attorney, it’s worth finding out why not. You might use Google Lens to see whether this person is known for running scams of this kind, pretending to be pregnant and offering a baby for adoption. People who run scams like this often try the con repeatedly.
What should you do?
Verify the legitimacy of the adoption agency or adoption professionals you work with. Research the organization’s reputation and credentials.
Do not provide personal or financial information until you are certain the adoption agency or intermediary is legitimate. Avoid sharing sensitive information with strangers online or over the phone.
Trust your instincts. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. If you are feeling uncomfortable or pressured, walk away from the situation.
If you believe you may have been a victim of an adoption scam, it is important to report the incident to the authorities and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Additionally, you may want to seek legal advice and consider contacting a consumer protection agency.
If you are considering adoption, either as an expectant mom or as a prospective adoptive parent, talk with a qualified adoption attorney. Heimer Law is an experienced family law firm specializing in adoption. We offer a free initial consultation, when we can answer all your questions.
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