Scammers find their way into everything and unfortunately, adoption is no exception. The risk of being scammed is lower if you go through an agency but many families feel self-networking is a better option for them. There are certain precautions and observations that can help you avoid being scammed.
Don’t go it alone. Self-networking is a wonderful way to find an expecting mother and adopt a child. Even though your family might not be using a placement agency, there are precautions you can use to adopt safely. Join some support groups and ask other families about their experiences. Get as much knowledge as you can with adoption courses so you understand the process and can’t get taken advantage of. If you’d like a great place to start with online courses, check out my course, All About Adoption 101!
Finding an expecting mother can be challenging. Deciding to put a child up for adoption can be very scary, so it is really important in your interactions with the birth parents that you view every opportunity as legitimate. Going in thinking the glass is half full can really set a tone with the expecting mother.
A quick way to see if someone is scamming you is to listen more than talk. Watch out for overconfidence that feels rehearsed and unauthentic. If it’s too good to be true…it just might be.
Adoption is not something for the impatient. It can take a lot of time to find a good fit. Don’t be too concerned if you don’t hear back from an expecting mother right away. Adoption is an extremely hard decision and it might be difficult for an expecting mother to move forward quickly. Giver her some time. She may change her mind; it is all part of the process.
A red flag might be someone that is pressing for money and is seemingly in constant crisis. Scammers will take a little here and there. Before you know it, you’ve spent $500. So be aware of cost and cash flow.
Adoption takes patience. You might begin to feel desperate and hopeful but trust your gut. Watch for any signs of the story changing. This could be a good indicator that someone is lying.
Another great way to avoid a scammer is to get the expecting mom in front of an adoption professional. Adoption professionals are willing to help manage payment of living expenses and make sure the process is safe. This would be at no cost for the expecting mother. So, if she refuses to meet, it might mean she is a scammer.
Awareness, education, and community can help you keep a radar open for red flags when it comes to adoption scammers. Be careful, be patient, and trust your gut. Watch the video here!
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