Consumer Alert
What are adoption intermediaries telling you?
If you search online for “adoption agencies near me,” you might see a lot of ads for adoption intermediaries, which might give you the impression that these businesses are state licensed, full-service adoption agencies. But are they?
Today, 31 adoption intermediaries — for-profit businesses claiming to match adoptive parents with birth parents in private adoptions for a hefty fee — got letters from the FTC. These businesses may be breaking the law if they say they’re a licensed adoption agency when they aren’t, make promises they can’t keep, or try to prevent people from posting honest reviews.
If you’re interested in private adoption:
Do your research. Adoption can be a complicated process to navigate. Know that unlicensed adoption intermediaries — sometimes called advertisers, facilitators, or brokers — are not licensed adoption agencies. That means they’re not supervised by their state or bound by its educational, social work, or legal training requirements. If you’re looking for a licensed adoption agency, contact your state department of health and human services for a list.
Consult a lawyer or your state’s adoption resources. Adoption laws vary widely by state, including the amount of time birth parents have to change their mind and how the law handles agreements for open or closed adoptions. Also, even if an adoption provider is licensed in one state, it may not be allowed to work with birth parents or place children in other states.
Check out who you plan to work with. Choosing an adoption provider is a significant decision. Understand what services they do and don’t offer and what their fees cover. Review online complaints, ask for recent references, and check with your attorney general’s office for information about any legal actions.
Spot an unfair or deceptive business practice? Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
I really appreciate these consumer messages. Thank you very much.
Thank you!
Thank you, finally, someone is doing something about this issue!!!
So how can the law punish these fake people then
Where can we find a copy of the notices sent to these adoption agencies?
In reply to Where can we find a copy of… by Jen
Follow this link to see a copy of the Warning Letters sent to adoption intermediaries: https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/warning-letters/86250.
This mis very important information with all the scammers out there.
Thank you very much for your informative website!!
Good evening Consumer Alert,
This is excellent information. Prospect Parents looking for an Adoption Agency will be Reluctant to ask for References, their License to Operate. They are Vulnerable. They are not Comfortable asking for these Very Important Information Proof. How do we help them to feel this Comfort Zone? By doing their Homework, Research them prior to entering an Adoption Agency. That's how we do it.
Thank you, Magdalen
Very glad this is happening - it is overdue and much needed. Everyone is a victim when agencies are unethical.
My husband and I lost $18k when we were targeted by a group promising to help LGBT-Q families adopt. They misled us and stole the money.
Thank you for sharing and caring. Finally we are informed and made aware of these issues. Therefore we can pay close attention at all times.
Your Company is definitely on point. Pass laws to protect victims of money fraud and corruption.
Thank you