Adoption Scams – Protecting Families from Heartbreak
What is an Adoption Scam?
Adoption is an emotional journey for all families involved, often leading to life-changing happiness. Unfortunately, scammers have found ways to exploit this sensitive process, targeting prospective parents with false promises and fraudulent requests for money. While not as widespread as other scams, adoption scams can cause devastating emotional and financial damage. Understanding these tactics is the first step toward staying safe.
Common Types of Adoption Scams
- Money Manipulating Adoption Agencies: Fraudulent agencies demand large sums of money upfront — sometimes over $50,000 — for “birth mother support” or “travel fees” without offering proof of the baby’s existence or health records.
- Birth Mother Scams: Scammers pretend to be pregnant women looking to place their baby for adoption. They take money from multiple families, sometimes without even being pregnant, then disappear.
- False Promise Agencies: Agencies claim they can provide a child matching exact preferences (age, race, health) for an extra fee, but keep stalling and asking for more money without results.
How to Avoid Adoption Scams
- Always request verifiable proof of the baby’s existence before making any payments.
- Never give money directly to a pregnant woman — instead, pay the service providers she uses.
- Be suspicious of agencies promising to find a child within a fixed time frame.
- Request complete health records for the baby before finalizing the adoption process.
- Work only with licensed, reputable adoption agencies verified by government or legal authorities.
Adoption should be a beautiful, transparent process. By remaining vigilant and doing thorough checks, families can protect themselves from fraud and focus on building the future they’ve been dreaming of.