You would like to adopt a child but you are afraid to lose your heart and money to an adoption scam. Nearly everyone must be aware that adoption scams happen these days. The publicity that birthmother scams, agency frauds, and agency closings have gotten in the news are enough to scare anyone away. Obviously, there are legitimate adoption businesses out there, and birthmothers really do place children for adoption, or we wouldn’t be here. You can avoid an adoption scam if you do your homework before sending money or investing your heart. Scam artists are able to prosper by taking advantage of a family’s vulnerable state. You can avoid adoption scams so don’t be afraid to adopt a child. 

Before signing with an agency, referral service, facilitator, or birthmother do some research. I know that you are in a hurry to adopt and bring your precious child home. You are afraid to say wait and lose the match. However, research will delay your action by a week or less, and if research loses the match, count your blessings. It may have saved you from an emotional nightmare. Avoiding problems before you become emotionally and financially invested in a match situation are less painful in the end.

Before signing with an agency, referral service, or facilitator, check the record on the Better Business Bureau. This takes less than a minute on the internet. If the agency has no BBB record, ask Google. Unscrupulous adoption names will pop up in a heartbeat when you type them into Google. Their names are plastered all over the adoption scam forums. Join an adoption scam forum. 

Ask for references and call them before signing anything. Choose several on the list and actually call or email them and ask questions. Make a list of what you want to ask so you don’t forget. Request a proof of pregnancy from any potential birthmother. Make sure the proof has her name on it and make sure it is from a legitimate source. If all you have is a phone or fax number you can go to the internet whitepages.com do a reverse phone lookup. Once you have an agency name check the BBB website and ask Google before sending money. Unfortunately, you can never trust blindly in adoption. 

Any communication from Cameroon about adoption should be immediately discarded. Don’t even read it. Anyone who tries to tell you there is an easy fast way to adopt internationally, is lying don’t waste your time or your emotions by asking questions. Disregard anyone who says she needs money right now in broken English. If she says her husband was killed, she is all alone, and needs an airplane ticket back to the United States, run. Proceed very cautiously with anyone who claims to be pregnant with multiples as well. While birthmothers can and do place twins or triplets, it is also a very common scam story.

Birthmothers can and do change their minds about placing their newborn babies. This is a real risk that may not be a scam. Be sure to request counseling services for the birthmother throughout her pregnancy to reduce your risk. Only pay birthmother expenses through your agency or lawyer, never directly.

• Definition of Adoption Terms
• Choosing An Adoption Agency
• Older Parent Adoption
• How to Tell if You Are Being Scammed by Adoption
• How to Prepare a Baby Bottle in Public
• How to adopt a domestic newborn Baby as fast as possible? American Adoption Statistics Summary
• Room in Your Home and Heart for Foster Children

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