Question about scams

[nicksboo824]

My husband and I want to adopt. A friend of ours found an add on craigslist from a pregnant woman who wants to give up her baby. Our friend emailed her, and her church. I emailed her. But how do we really know if this is a scam or not? I suppose we could meet with a member of her church but how do we really know that this person is real? We are so new at this and just recently really began informing ourselves on adoption. We live in Guam, we are a military couple, so I dont know how different things are here compared to the states. What can I do if this girl does email me back?? Please help!!

[lleva99]

Well, I would ask for the name of her church...check out the website, call and speak to the pastor. Do your own research based on the name of the church she gives you. You will be able to verify whether or not the church is legit. Don't ask her for a reference...speak to someone at the church based on your research of the church.

If she e-mails/calls you back I'd speak with her and see what you feel, if it sounds legit and if she's interested in you adopting the baby. If so, then ask if she would be willing to speak with your adoption agency/atty/social worker to fill out necessary paperwork. This will help in determining whether she's serious or not.

One of the biggest red flags is if she asks for money up front...then you get out and walk away. Any agency, facilitator or adoption atty will tell you never to pay money up front before having the pregnancy verified and setting up bmom assistance legally. If you don't do bmom assistance through the courts via agency, facilitator or adoption atty that could come back to bite you big time legally; especially if , God forbid, the bmom would change her mind. She could say that you were trying to pay her for her baby.

Hopefully this made some sense...good luck and keep us updated. Feel free to pm me if you have any more questions!