The Sad Reality of Adoption Scams

 Posted on February 22, 2023 in Adoption

When growing your family through adoption, there are many different avenues to choose from. Many people choose to adopt through a private adoption agency or the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Others pursue a private adoption or independent adoption. There are potential advantages and disadvantages to each of these options. However, individuals pursuing an independent adoption are often especially vulnerable to adoption scams. If you are thinking about adopting a child, make sure you understand the common adoption scams and how to avoid them.

Scammers May Target Prospective Parents Hoping to Adopt

Although it is hard to believe, fraudulent adoption scams exist, and they can be difficult to detect. Scammers may target prospective parents hoping to adopt, posing as pregnant women or birth parents who are willing to put a child up for adoption. They will often provide false information and stories to the prospective parents, in order to receive money or other compensation from them. This is known as “adoption fraud.”

Some scammers are not after your money, but instead, your time and attention. One hopeful adoptive mother explained that she was scammed by a young woman who claimed to be pregnant and seeking someone to adopt her baby. Unfortunately, it was all a lie. The scammer was not actually pregnant, and she had no intention to put her baby up for adoption. Instead, she was simply looking for attention.

Avoid Scams By Working With an Experienced Adoption Lawyer

Adoption lawyers are familiar with the adoption process and common adoption scams parents fall victim to. Your lawyer can help facilitate a background check of the birth mother or father and ensure that you do not fall victim to scams. He or she can also help you identify red flags and provide advice on how to protect yourself from fraud.

Many prospective parents are so excited at the thought of finally having a baby that they ignore warning signs of a potential scam. A lawyer not only provides legal advice, he or she acts as a neutral third party and can help you make sound decisions during this emotional time.

Contact our Chicago Adoption Lawyer

Being the victim of an adoption scam is heartbreaking and, often, expensive. Working with an experienced adoption lawyer is one of the best ways to protect yourself and navigate the legal complexities of adoption. Cook County adoption attorney Curtis Ross can provide you with dependable legal support and assistance during your private adoption, agency adoption, or relative adoption. Call 312-984-1514 for a consultation.

Source:

https://people.com/parents/instagram-private-adoption-scam-exclusive/