At first glance, you might believe you’re stepping into a typical health clinic — a clean waiting room, every employee donning scrubs or a white lab coat, and secluded back rooms with ultrasound machines. But this isn’t your typical clinic. It actually may not be one at all. 

Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs) are also known as fake abortion clinics. CPCs are anti-choice organizations that pose as abortion clinics in hopes of dissuading women from ending a pregnancy. They often advertise free health care services and postpartum support, but in reality they may only be able to administer a run-of-the-mill pregnancy test and an ultrasound. Instead of providing comprehensive care, they focus their efforts on convincing the patient that they should carry to term. 

To gain authentic insights, I took a walk to a CPC located in my neighborhood. I was hoping to understand what it’s really like to visit, as a woman seeking help. The building was unassuming, appearing much like the office of a high-end gynecologist. Once inside, the middle-aged staff were quick to welcome me in. They spoke gently in a tone that can only be described as motherly, nodding attentively as I explained my (fake) situation. Posing as a college student seeking information for her sister, who believes she may be pregnant, I inquired about what services they offered, hoping to gauge the tenor of their patient interactions.

In truth, I couldn’t help but silently marvel at just how difficult it might be to figure out that what appeared to be a typical clinic was actually a religious organization. A clinic that actually didn’t perform many medical services. I was handed a flier, providing much of the same information I found online, and I was on my way, eager to exit before my facade was exposed.

As I walked back to my apartment, I found myself feeling disappointed. While groups such as AlphaCare do provide real, valuable resources—such as mother’s groups and supplies—they continue to be dishonest about their intentions in doing so, taking advantage of the assumption that they are abortion clinics. 

What exactly is so malicious about these groups? First and foremost, they’re not being honest about their purposes, credentials, or affiliations. While some may outright state that they are faith-based, anti-abortion, or not an abortion clinic, many intentionally avoid disclosing this info. Some even receive funding from a larger anti-abortion organization, but keep this under wraps as well.

You may find your local CPC deceptively located next to an actual abortion clinic. This is intentional — meant to make the patient believe that the CPC is partnered with the abortion provider. 

If you live in Texas or North Carolina, they might even be funded by your state. In 2005, the Texas state legislature established “alternatives to abortion,” using state funds to power CPCs, and throw a confusing  alternative in abortion-seekers faces. Today, there are over 2,500 Crisis Pregnancy Centers nationwide — three times the number of abortion clinics. 

Our co-founder Cynthia Plotch is intimately aware of the risks posed by CPCs, as her mother fought against their existence in the 1980s. Cynthia wrote about these experiences in 2022, following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The Dobbs decision brought the fake clinics back into the limelight, providing insight into the longtime struggle against CPCs.

Issues of misinformation consistently arise in CPCs. People have reported receiving incorrect information, the centers willing to persuade them against abortion at any cost. Some have gone to even further lengths, lying to patients about how far along they are in their pregnancy in hopes of leading them to believe that abortion is no longer an option. In certain cases, women have reported being told that their ectopic pregnancy was healthy, or that their IUD, as visible on the ultrasound, was actually a fetus. 

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that many CPCs are not actual medical clinics. As a result, they may not have to follow HIPAA, which prevents medical providers from distributing your information without your knowing. In short, at a CPC, your health information may not be private. If you begin to be bombarded with calls, texts, and emails from anti-abortion organizations following an appointment, that CPC may have distributed your data, even if you decided you were no longer interested in their services. 

How to steer clear of fake clinics
Before you get stuck with Americans United For Life spamming your cell (no matter how many times you reply “STOP”), let’s identify the red-flags to look out for if you’re seeking help from an abortion clinic near you.

• It says anywhere on their site (check that “about” page) that they are “faith-based” or that they are partnered with a religious organization.
• There’s vague language galore. You might find yourself confused about what exactly they offer. 
• When they do mention abortion, they emphasize potential “risks,” such as cancer or mental health issues, neither of which have been scientifically linked to abortions. 
• Their title includes phrases such as “pregnancy center,” “hope,” or “life.”
• They claim that they can reverse an abortion. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, you cannot reverse an abortion, despite what these groups may claim.

• They’re located within walking distance of a real abortion clinic or medical facility which performs abortions.