subject: Adoption Fraud: Five Red Flags [print this page] Adoption Fraud: Five Red Flags Adoption Fraud: Five Red Flags
The decision to adopt a child is not made lightly, so it is vital that you take the time and energy needed to ensure that you don't run into fraud, when you choose an adoption agency. Recently in Canada an agency's fraud inflicted massive financial and emotional damage on over 250 families, not to mention the children who were waiting for adoption. These five red flags may help you identify fraudulent international adoption schemes or a fraudulent adoption agency.
1. Be on the alert. Unfortunately a few bad apples can give all adoption agencies a bad name. Be alert to agencies who won't give you a copy of their contract to consider, which don't have a prepared fee scale, which are willing to take proposed shortcuts, or who "sound too good to be true." Be prepared to stay alert through the entire adoption process; don't just leave "everything" to the agency. Be involved.
2. Be wary of an agency who seems to give you contradictory statements. Talk with the head of an agency and the secretary or social worker who you'll be working with to understand what the agency will and won't do, what are their policies, what kinds of things they can help you with. Are their answers the same, credible and honest? Go over the fee schedule with them; find out what the fees and charges are for and why. What does the agency include in the adoption process and what isn't involved. Sometimes in an international adoption, there are various government agencies that have to be paid as well as international interpreters and lawyers. Check out their clients to see what kinds of experiences they've had with the agency and how close they were to their cost and fee list.
3. Pay attention to unspecified fees and services. Unspecified or "hidden" fees and services can turn a national or international adoption into a nightmare. Don't do pre-payment for the adoption; pay only the fees and charges that are due. If an agency wants the entire adoption paid up front, find another agency. Hague Accredited agencies have specific fee and cost charts they agree to follow. In US adoptions, each state only allows payment of certain fees toward the adoption; you can find a listing of the fees an adoption agency can charge on your state government adoption page.
4. Watch out for "bait and switch". This is where an agency or adoption group knowingly offers a supposedly healthy child, who is later found to be seriously ill. It might be a good idea to have the child checked over by an independent doctor before you complete the adoption. In an international adoption, the visa-related medical examination can only determine whether the child has any conditions that make him/her ineligible for a US immigrant visa. Remember, though that the visa examination is not a comprehensive medical assessment of the child. Only blood tests and a complete check over can determine that.
5. Work only with adoption agencies that are licensed, have no complaints against them at the Better Business Bureau, and/or are Hague Accredited adoption agencies or service providers with no complaints. Look into the background and information about any adoption agency you are thinking of hiring BEFORE you sign any contracts. Some time and study now will save you headaches, tears, and horrendous experiences later. There are also internet sites that review adoption agencies, see if you can find the name of the adoption agency you are considering listed and read about it. Try to find the names of people who have used the agency and talk with them either in person or by email about their experiences and whether they would recommend the agency. Above all, know what is in your contract BEFORE you sign. Make sure there are no "hidden" clauses that could cause problems later.
While there are no guarantees against adoption fraud, planning and finding a licensed professional adoption agency is an important step in having a positive adoption experience.
