When we answer calls coming into our parent organization, Pro-Life Action League, we say, “Pro-Life Action League,” yet we receive a surprising number of phone calls asking if we perform abortions. When this happens, we refer the caller to a pregnancy resource center, or spend some time talking about their decision and the dangers of abortion. But yesterday, one of my co-workers got a call that alerted us to something beyond simply “surprising”: A woman in Minnesota told us that our phone number and address are listed on a mailing she had gotten for “The Home Abortion Kit” [pdf]. The flyer she received offered a kit for $400 (or 3 for $1,000) that, at home, would “break down the fetus into bio-waste in a mere ten minutes” which could then “be disposed of down the toilet, down the drain, or into a compost heap because it is completely safe for the environment,” even “up to the eighth month of pregnancy.” It turns out the recipient was a pro-lifer who was very relieved to discover this was a hoax, and she promised to mail us the original immediately. A little while later, I took a call from the Kentucky Right to Life Association in Louisville — they had received the same mailing. They immediately faxed us a copy [pdf] of the mailing and put the original in the mail. Then, in the mid-afternoon we heard from pro-lifers on both coasts who had also received the mailing. 
The organization that supposedly offering this kit calls itself “American Women’s Health.” But the Pro-Life Action League’s address and phone number are listed both as the return address on the envelope and the address payments should be sent to. This type of “at home abortion” offered is clearly illegal. Most states have requirements regarding who is legally allowed to perform abortions, and in most of these cases, it’s limited to doctors [pdf]. (In fact, these regulations are what have led Planned Parenthood locations in Iowa to start offering tele-conference “doctor’s consultations” with abortion patients.)
Post Office, Police, and FBI Notified
We spoke with the Chicago Police Department about our concerns, and we have completed paperwork to notify the Post Office of this mail fraud. We also made a report to the FBI. The Post Office form [pdf] doesn’t have a line where you can fill in that a fake group sent an anonymous mailing in your organization’s name for an illegal and non-existent procedure. But we did the best we could.
Have You Received This Mailing?
We are trying to understand the scope of this fraud. If you or someone you know received this mailing, please send us the original immediately: Pro-Life Action League 6160 N. Cicero Ave. Ste. 600 Chicago, IL 60646 We hope that by collecting enough of these letters, the authorities will have enough information to track down whoever is responsible.
