How to Spot Fake Clinics

Every day, fake clinics use lies, manipulation, and intimidation to prevent people from choosing or accessing abortions.

MISLEADING ADVERTISING

Fake Clinics tend to use misleading language, websites, and signage designed to deceive pregnant people. This deception is often used in their names and advertising, clinics using names such as “Abortos,” “Choices,” or “Abortion Alternatives.”

VIOLATING PRIVACY

Real doctors must comply with HIPAA regulations to protect your privacy. Fake clinics are not considered medical facilities, and therefore do not have to comply with HIPAA.

INACCURATE INFORMATION ABOUT MISCARRIAGE

Some clinics lead patients to believe that if they do nothing, they’ll miscarry naturally.  This isn’t necessarily true at all. Miscarriage risk depends on many factors, like the person’s age or health. The risk is highest early in the first trimester but the chances of miscarriage drop considerably as pregnancy progresses.

MEDICALLY INACCURATE CLAIMS

Fake clinics often promote junk science, such as “Abortion Reversal Pills” which is unproven and untested and widely rebuked as unsafe by physicians, including the American Medical Association. Some fake clinics will tell clients that abortion causes breast cancer, infertility, or mental illness. None of these claims are true.

LIES ABOUT GESTATIONAL AGE

Some clinics mislead people as to how pregnant they are, making them think they’re further along than they are. They do this because some states have specific laws prohibiting abortion after a certain point. If you choose to have an abortion, you will have to abort before this due date.

CO-LOCATION

Many fake clinics intentionally place themselves next door to or across the street from real reproductive health clinics. This is to attempt to confuse people trying to find the real reproductive health clinics. Sometimes clinics even capitalize on their co-location by purchasing vests and signs in the same color as the real clinic next door.

Download this graphic for shareable tips on how to avoid being deceived by fake clinics.

If you’re pregnant,
you should know that not
everyone who wears
a white coat is a doctor.

If you’re pregnant, you should know that not everyone who wears a white coat is a doctor.

WHAT'S A FAKE CLINIC?

Fake clinics are everywhere. The more
you know about them, the better you
are prepared to protect yourself.

NYC KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

The best way to fight against fake clinics and protect yourself is to know your rights. Here are some facts to keep in mind

REPORT A FAKE CLINIC

If you or someone you know has been the victim of a fake clinic, you can report it by calling 311 or through the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection here. Reports of violation will help others avoid the same trap and can possibly lead to the closure of the facility.

If you file a complaint, please submit the information of your complaint and take a short survey: