FROM the FTC
Is it a caregiving job or a scam?
As a nanny or caregiver, you know that families and employers trust you to take care of their children or older adults. It’s the same trust that scammers want to build with you when they post ads for fake jobs to steal your money and personal information. So how do you spot the scam?
Here’s how it works. You see an ad for a job, maybe at a job site, and apply. The “employer” sends you a check upfront and tells you to deposit it. “Keep part of the money,” they say, and send the rest to buy supplies or even toys for the children in your care. Don’t do it — while the position seems real, it’s not. It’s a scam. Days later, you’ll find out from your bank that the check was fake, and you’ll lose any money you sent. Then you’ll be stuck repaying the money to the bank.
Here are more ways to spot and avoid phony nanny or caregiver jobs:
- Don't send money to someone who says they want to hire you. An honest employer will never send you a check and then tell you to send them, or someone else, part of the money. That’s a scam.
- Don’t feel pressured to act immediately. Scammers want you to act without having time to think about what information you’re giving. Before you provide personal or financial information to a prospective employer, check out their story. Search online to see if others report problems with this employer.
- Talk to someone you trust. Before you give any personal information, describe the offer to them. What do they think?
And, if you spot a job scam, please report it to the job site and to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.