Surrogacy and Egg Donation Scams: Tips to Avoid Fraud

Surrogacy and egg donation are rewarding but complex paths to parenthood, and unfortunately, they are not immune to fraud. Victims of surrogacy scams can lose thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Protecting yourself from fraud requires diligence and knowledge of best practices. Here are some essential tips to avoid surrogacy scams and safeguard your investment.

Hire an Independent Reproductive Law Attorney

One of the first steps in protecting yourself is hiring a specialized reproductive law attorney as independent legal counsel. Your attorney will conduct thorough screenings and manage contracts. If the surrogate or egg donor hesitates to work with your attorney, consider it a potential red flag indicating a surrogacy scam.

Verify Previous Surrogacy or Egg Donation Experience

If the surrogate mother or egg donor has prior experience, contact their previous intended parents, fertility clinics, or obstetricians to verify references. This step is crucial if you’re working independently without an agency. Verifying a candidate’s history helps you assess credibility and reduce the chances of encountering a surrogacy or egg donation scam.

Research Agency Founders and Directors

If you’re working through an agency, investigate its founders and directors. Look up their backgrounds online, paying attention to any previous complaints or negative reviews. Agencies should be transparent about their leadership to help clients feel secure in their services. Be wary if you can’t find any information on the individuals running the agency.

Visit the Agency’s Office if Possible

Whenever possible, visit the egg donation or surrogacy agency’s office to verify its legitimacy. Fraudulent agencies often operate under fictitious addresses or P.O. boxes. If you can’t visit in person, use online tools like Google Earth’s Street View to check the listed address.

Verify References and Speak Directly with Past Clients

Request direct references from past clients instead of relying on testimonials. This allows you to get honest feedback about the agency’s services. Contact previous clients and ask about their experiences. Reliable agencies should willingly connect you with clients, legal professionals, or doctors they work with, which can help you identify a surrogacy or egg donation scam if they hesitate to provide these details.

Review the Agency’s Fee Structure and Payment Plan

A transparent fee structure is crucial for avoiding fraud in surrogacy. Ensure payments are managed securely and review refund policies to avoid unexpected costs. Fraudulent agencies often have unclear payment plans or unexpected fees, which can indicate potential financial risks.

Ensure Proper Management of Escrow Accounts

Ask the agency to provide a written explanation of how they manage surrogacy or egg donation funds, particularly if they use an external escrow company. If the agency has a financial interest in the escrow company, verify their credentials and request regular account statements. This oversight helps ensure your funds are safe.

Confirm Independent Audits of Agency Accounts

An agency’s accounts should be audited by an independent certified public accountant (CPA) to ensure transparency. Avoid relying on internal records, as these can be manipulated. Request copies of the audit results to verify that the agency follows ethical practices.