Why Did These 31 Adoption Professionals Get a Warning from the FTC?
Understanding the difference between licensed and unlicensed adoption agencies could mean the difference between a successful or failed adoption. The FTC adoption warning was issued to help protect you.
No matter where you are in the adoption process, working with a trusted adoption service provider should be a top priority to ensure a safe, ethical, and legal adoption.
Not all adoption service providers, also called “adoption intermediaries,” are monitored and regulated. To help limit the risks hopeful adoptive families and potential birth mothers may face, an FTC adoption warning letter was sent out to 31 professionals throughout the United States for the use of misleading and unethical practices.
If you are working with any of the 31 facilitators or consultants named in the letter or any other unlicensed provider, you are putting your adoption at risk. Learn more about the FTC adoption warning below.
What is The FTC Adoption Warning Letter?
In late 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued warning letters to 31 unlicensed adoption facilitators and consultants. The names of all 31 are below.
The letter was issued based on practices potentially in violation of the FTC Act and the Consumer Review Fairness Act (CRFA). The list of unethical or illegal practices ranges from misrepresenting their licensing to false claims and statistics about placements or wait times to suppression of reviews.
The providers named in the letter have been instructed to review their practices and cease illegal or unethical conduct. These adoption intermediaries will be continually monitored, and the FTC will take follow-up action as necessary, including $50,000 fines per violation and the potential for permanent closure.
What are Adoption Intermediaries?
Adoption facilitators and adoption consultants are commonly referred to as adoption intermediaries. These types of providers are unlicensed and unregulated individuals or organizations. Matching is the main service intermediaries offer, as they cannot complete the legal components of adoption and do not offer any professional social work or counseling services.
Those who choose to work with intermediaries are at a higher risk of failure, financial loss, and being scammed. For this reason, many states have banned the use of adoption intermediaries for adoption services.
Which Adoption Intermediaries Received an FTC Adoption Warning?
The adoption intermediaries listed below received the FTC adoption warning letter:
- A Bundle of Joy Adoption Referral
- A is 4 Adoption
- A Rainbows End Adoption
- A Step Ahead Adoption
- Adopt Connect
- Adoption Advice and Guidance
- Adoption for My Child
- Adoption Information Services
- AdoptLink
- All About Adoption
- Angel Adoptions, Inc.
- By Your Side Adoption Consultants
- Chosen Parents Adoptions
- Christian Adoption Consultants
- Cradled in Grace
- Everlasting Adoptions, Inc.
- Evermore Adoption Consultants
- Faithful Adoption Consultants
- Hello Baby Adoption Consultants
- High Country Inc. dba A Birthmother’s Choice
- Journey Adoption Consultants
- Katherine Ottie Adoption Consultants
- Lifelong Adoptions, Inc.
- Little Bit of Heaven
- Love Grown Adoption Consultants
- Mustard Seed Adoption Consultants
- Purl Adoption Advisory
- ReachSOURCE Adoptions, LLC dba Bithmother’s Choice
- Selfless Love Adoptions
- The Adoption Consultancy
- Unique Adoptions Incorporated
Are Adoption Intermediaries the Same as Adoption Agencies?
No. Adoption agencies are licensed adoption service providers that follow government regulations, and face annual audits and reviews to ensure their practices are following local and national law.
We cannot stress enough that intermediaries are unlicensed and unregulated. This exposes anyone working with these providers to unnecessary risks, as there is no guarantee they are following state or national adoption laws to complete their services.
What Does the FTC Adoption Warning Mean for Your Adoption?
If you are currently working with any of these providers for your adoption services, you are at a higher risk of failure, scams, and potentially financial loss. With the FTC adoption warning, these providers, and any other unlicensed adoption service providers, face a higher risk of abruptly shutting down. This would require anyone using their services to start the process all over again, likely without guidance or refund.
Whether your adoption service provider was included in the letter or not, you are encouraged to speak with your provider if you have any concerns. If they were included in the letter, you may consider:
- Expressing your knowledge and concern of the FTC adoption warning letter to them
- Asking what actions they are taking to protect you and your adoption
- Speaking with a lawyer specializing in adoption/family law
- Asking about refunds or any financial protection
- Working with a trusted, licensed agency
Your adoption is not something to risk. Adoption intermediaries increase your chances of failure. We highly encourage you to contact an adoption professional to discuss the benefits of working with a licensed professional.