Beware of Scams

As we are not an Au Pair agency we do not authenticate each new au pair or host family account. This is the responsibility of the au pair or host family.
Unfortunately there are a number of scams that we come across from time to time.

The most common is whereby the scammer pretends to be a host family, posts a great job with wonderful conditions. Usually, these scammers pretend to be a family from UK, USA, Canada, who are lawyers, doctors, architects and who are willing to pay for your travel and visa expenses, promise good pocket money and wage and ask to provide them with your resume, pictures, contact details etc. They are fishing your valuable personal data. Be careful and do not share your personal details and do not send them money!

Often the scammer pretends to be an au pair agency. The fake agency may ask you to register on their website, where they can use your information. They will ask you for money transfer for various needs, for example, to help with your new bank account or an important certificate, insurance, contract, visa, tickets etc..

Sometimes the scammer pretending to be an au pair, in this case the genuine host family offers them the job but on the day the au pair is due to arrive the 'au pair' contacts them to say they are unable to fly as they need money for a vaccination or a visa, or plane ticket, and requests the host family wire them the money.

If you can answer "yes" to one or more of these, then the "profile" might be a scam profile.

  • Do they ask you to send money to them or to an "agency" or "lawyer" etc. - for visas, work permits, airline tickets, guarantees, affidavits, criminal background checks, legal documents etc.? This includes a request to send a Western Union Payments, MoneyGram etc. Once the scammers have the Western Union Transfer Control number they can collect the money and you won't be able to get a refund. Remember - only scammers asks for money. Genuine families will NEVER do that!
  • Do they ask you for strange or unusually detailed information about your family? For example: your passport number, your national ID number, your mother’s maiden name?
  • Does their English sounds a little strange?
  • Do they ask you to join another au pair site or register at some online au pair agency?
  • Do they offer you a job before even knowing you?
  • If it sounds too good to be true then it's probably not true. For example, a monthly salary of 3000 euros.
  • Do they fail to send photos of themselves?

How To Protect Yourself from Scams

  • Ignore offers that looks too good to be true.
  • Ask questions when you don't understand something or it doesn't seem right.
  • Don't let fear win over common sense. If something is very urgent, ask yourself "why?". It may be to prevent you from doing research.

We can't emphasize this enough, regardless of whether you are an au pair or a host family - never ever send money! If you suspect any profiles or you are asked to send money, please contact us immediately or report the profile and we will look into it.