While most adoption agencies are legitimate, caring companies, there are still pitfalls to avoid. Since there's no guarantee that an agency will be able to place a child with you, a ripe environment exits for scam artists. Individuals involved in an adoption scam can be either the adoption agency representative, the birth mother or both. In some countries, the government may even aid in adoption scams.

There are virtually as many varieties of adoption scams as there are scammers. Sometimes the "birth mother" isn't even pregnant. Adoption scams can include exorbitant fees or payment for services never rendered. An agency may misrepresent a child's emotional or physical history and condition in an attempt to pull you in. A birth mother may accept expense money with no intention of ever truly giving up her child for adoption.

Don't let these cautions dissuade you from adopting. Just keep your eyes open and look for these signs of scams.

How to Spot the Scammers
Here are some signs that an adoption agency may be setting you up for a swindle:

• You are asked to pay the entire adoption fee up front. You should only pay the application fee to start; remaining fees should be paid by installment.
• You ask for the adoption agency license number, and instead you simply are shown what looks like a license. An agency must have a license number, not just a certificate, that you can verify through your state government.
• You ask for references of adoptive parents who have used the adoption agency's services, and you are told that the agency cannot give references because of privacy concerns. Any agency with a good track record will be able to refer you to happy adoptive parents who will be eager to waive privacy rights. Beware of references who pose as adoptive parents.
• You are told that the adoption agency will bring you a child through a "shorter wait" than other agencies. Adoption agencies do not control the timetable.
• You are told that the adoption agency will bring you a child who is "better" or "cuter." Adoption agencies cannot discriminate.
• A representative of the adoption agency tells you on a Friday that you can take a long, slow weekend to make a decision on a prospective child. That's not enough time, and it's similar to a car salesman's type of pressure, so beware. No, you can't take six months to decide, but you should be given at least a week to make such an important decision.
• You ask about post-adoptive services to help you navigate the first few months with your new child, and the adoption agency says they have none. This is a warning sign that something's wrong.

Beware of Birth Mothers
Here are some signs that a birth mother may be setting you up for an adoption scam:

• You ask the birth mother to send confirmation of her pregnancy, but she stalls or says she cannot do so for some reason. Beware of false documentation and strive to verify information with her home community.
• You ask for the birth mother's address and phone number, and she declines. She is supposed to know, through the agency, that she needs to have a line of communication with you.
• You ask for the birth mother's reasons for giving up her child for adoption and she totally clams up, time after time. You should not expect her to spill all the beans and give you her whole life story, but she should at least be able to tell you something.
• You schedule meetings or conversations but the birth mother repeatedly fails to show up, or changes plans at the last minute.
• At your first meeting, the birth mother tells you very quickly that you seem perfect. A legitimate birth mother will be checking you out just as closely as you are checking her out.
• You receive repeated requests from the expectant mother for money to pay for special needs or emergencies that have arisen. Send money only through the adoption agency, a facilitator or an attorney.
• You are asked to send the birth mother a plane ticket so that she can bring the baby to you. This may be a scam to cash in the plane ticket.

You can greatly reduce your risks of becoming an adoption scam victim by doing some work in advance. Research adoption laws in your state. Check the adoption agency with the Better Business Bureau and the state licensing specialist. Consult online agency reviews, although you should not accept the word of just one critical reviewer at face value.

Adoption support groups exist in virtually all regions of the country. Members of these groups will be more than happy to give you advice. The Web is fine for advice, but it's hard to beat person-to-person conversation with adoptive parents.

Of course, read any contract you sign, and consider hiring an adoption attorney to represent you.