ALERT: Adoption Scams

Photo by Kindel Media from Pexels

The Better Business Bureau serving Acadiana is warning of a new scam involving adoptions. Con artists are taking advantage of hopeful parents.

If you are looking to expand your family through adoption, be careful! Criminals are targeting prospective parents. Usually the con artist will respond to an ad a potential parent looking to adopt has posted. The con artist will pose as a pregnant teen looking for a family to give their unborn child to. The scammer will present fake pregnancy photos. In some cases, the victim will report to have had phone conversations with the scammer. The victim not only loses money but this scam also takes on an emotional toll. Most victims will spend months preparing for a baby that does not exist.

In order to prevent this type of scam from happening, the BBB serving Acadiana has a few tips to follow. First of all, do your research. Check with different agencies and check BBB.org. Double check state licensing rules. Most states require a facilitator to handle adoptions. Make sure you meet in person and do not believe images found on social media.

If you are a victim, report it right away to bbb.org/scamtracker.

“Look for the Seal” and Start with Trust®. BBB Serving Acadiana works for a trustworthy marketplace by maintaining standards for truthful advertising, investigating and exposing fraud against consumers and businesses.

Please contact Better Business Bureau at bbb.org or (337) 981-3497 24 hours a day for information on businesses throughout North America.

BBB Serving Acadiana services the parishes of Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Martin, St. Landry and Vermilion.

Source: BBB serving Acadiana