Adopting a baby can come with a lot of challenges, including networking and marketing your family to reach potential birth mothers. At Adoptimist, we are experts in marketing families and hopeful adoptive parent profiles. We know from experience that promoting a family on the internet comes with a unique set of challenges, including keeping your private information safe and protected, while at the same time, getting your adoption profile seen by many people as possible. Adoption scammers put hopeful... Read more…

Myth 1: Scam messages are a sign your outreach isn’t working.  Scam messages are not necessarily an indicator that your outreach isn’t working. In fact, they may be a very strong indicator that your outreach is doing its job. Here’s why: typically, an adoption scammer’s online behavior will mimic that of a legitimate person who is considering adoption. They may do similar Google searches, look at similar sites, and view or contact adoptive families, as well. So, the very outreach that helps you complete your family is also the reason you are... Read more…

In today’s world of social media, private adoption has become much more dependent on making sure you have an online profile, often with both your adoption professional as well as on a site like Adoptimist. Although adoption scams have existed for decades, prospective adoptive families are expected to “put themselves out there” more than ever. Prospective adoptive parents come into adoption in a very vulnerable state... Read more…

Adoption scams can be a devastating experience for hopeful adoptive parents. Fortunately, by educating yourself on adoption scams, you can help to minimize them. Today, we talk to attorney Anthony Zurica of Zurica Law. A practicing lawyer since 2006, Zurica has been handling adoptions in New York for the past three years. Find out what he has to say about adoption scams and what... Read more…

When you think of an adoption scam, being swindled out of money or goods often comes to mind. However, there is another form of scamming that is just as deceptive but far less tangible. It’s called emotional or psychological scamming. And, it’s unfortunately fairly common during the adoption process. Emotional scammers target their victims with one goal in mind: getting attention. They don’t want your money or gifts. Some enjoy... Read more…

I know in my heart that each and every one of us waiting to become parents through adoption will know the joy of holding our baby. It is just a matter of when it will happen.  Like many of you, my process has been long and filled with all kinds of unbelievable bumps and moments of hope.  I have never experienced such a roller coaster of emotions! There is no question that the adoption world is changing now that social media plays such a prominent role in our lives.  Adoption connection... Read more…

Your phone rings. It’s a potential birth mom. She saw your profile online and wants you to be her baby’s parents. And she’s due next week! Your heart races; your hopes soar. Could this be it? The last thing on your mind is the thought that this person may not even be pregnant. It never occurs to you that she is actually an experienced con artist trying to scam hopeful couples out of gifts and money. Unfortunately, adoption scams do sometimes happen. Here’s what happened to us, and what you can do to protect yourselves. During the adoption process, a... Read more…

Sometime in the coming days, weeks, or months, a woman may contact you. Conversations will follow and you may both come to know that the baby she is carrying will be your future child. Caution and hesitation will give way to excitement and joy.  Before long, you will welcome a baby into your home and hearts. Your adoption journey will end—and begin. But getting from here to there may not be so easy. One of the biggest challenges you face is to make your way through calls, emails, and other communications from women who are not carrying your baby, while... Read more…