How to Tell if You Are Being Scammed by Adoption

A person wanting to desperately adopt an infant can easily be sucked into an emotional scam. Following your heart instead of your head, instincts, and lawyer's advice can lead to a broken heart, empty crib, and thousands of lost dollars. How can you tell if you're being scammed by adoption?

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Join scam groups
• Reputable agency
• Reputable lawyer
• Good sense

1. Wanting to adopt an infant can put you in a vulnerable state. You so desparately want a baby that you may be willing to believe any woman who says she is a potential birthmother. Stop, and look at the situation objectively.

2. 
   You can lose thousands of dollars

   Is the potential birthmother asking for financial help immediately? If so is it a lot of money? Offer to buy her a meal or pay for a hotel room directly instead if you feel there is a real emergency. Otherwise, make it known that all expenses will need to be approved by your lawyer or agency and go through them.

3. Request proof of pregnancy and then verify where it came from. Do an internet whitepages search to verify the agency, doctor, clinic, or hospital it came from. If it is real it should have her name on it and a date.

4. Ask the potential birthmother to contact your agency or lawyer. Request that she seek counseling and prenatal care. Ask for the name of her OBGYN.

5. Do you have a phone number for her or does she always call you? Is she always in desparate straights when she calls? Be careful, it could be a scam.

6. Did she tell you she is expecting twins? If so, you need proof of preganncy and more. This is a common scam.

7. Join an adoption scam group such as the ones on yahoogroups. Common names and themes are published regularly there. You can even ask about the name that your potential birthmom has given you.

8. Is the potential birthmom or child in another country? Is the email in broken English. Is there a sob story about the death of a parent or abandonment. Now they only need to get back to the USA or find a new family. Run.

Tips & Warnings

• Find a reputable agency. Do a google search with the agency name.
• Check the agency or lawyer with the BBB Better Business Bureau.
• Over caution can lose a possible real placement
• Under caution can lose thousands of dollars

Resources

• Adoption information of all sides
• Parenting information including foster care
• How to Change Your Baby’s Diaper in Public
• Adoption scam group
• How to Work Through an Anxiety Attack

[painthorse42]

on 11/23/2008 How sad that this actually happens. Well written informative article 5*

[bookmom]

on 8/26/2008 Anything surrounding babies can be so devistating...thank you so much for your heartfelt words of caution.

[dceclint]

on 8/13/2008 We recently were nearly involved in an adoption scam. I wrote an article on this same subject. You have done an excellent job here. 5*

[LilacGirl]

on 7/30/2008 Good to know, very informative.

[Melanierose]

on 7/29/2008 So important for people to know! 5*