Safe searching on AuPairWorld

The Internet offers tremendous resources. But it also can bring you into contact with people who are trying to cheat or trick you. In such cases of Internet fraud, one typically speaks of scam. Scammers use the anonymity of the Internet to falsely take on the identity of people or institutions and trick others.

Follow these tips to always stay safe during your search:

• Always use the AuPairWorld Messaging System for making first contact with au pairs or host families.
• Be cautious about au pairing contacts coming via Facebook or other social networks.
• Never pay money in advance to unfamiliar persons.
• Be sceptical about offers that seem too good to be true – these are almost certainly tricks to take advantage of you. 
• Be informed about the au pairing requirements in your home country as a family or your host country as an au pair. Scammers sometimes pretend to be representatives from the authorities and use manipulated email or website addresses to ask for immigration documents, money or deposits. 
• Change the passwords for all of your email accounts and other online activities on a regular basis.
• Use a different password for each of your accounts.
• Use passwords that are a combination of letters, numbers and special characters.

Follow these tips when you are in contact with an au pair or host family:

• Be aware of where emails are coming from - some people may try to trick you with a false email address. Check email and website addresses carefully.
• Use video calls (for example with Skype) or personal meetings to get to know au pairs or host families. Scammers don't like to show themselves in person.
• Have you discussed all the important topics getting ready for the au pair stay? Take a look at our pages "Questions to ask a host family" and "Questions to ask an au pair".
• Ask for references: Is it perhaps possible to speak with a previous au pair of the family? As a host family, you can request references from teachers, employers or from persons for whom the au pair has performed childcare tasks.
• Make a written au pair contract with your au pair or host family!
• And finally: Get ready for the au pair stay. Read our articles: "How do I plan my trip?” and "How to prepare for your first au pair"

At AuPairWorld we always have an open door for your security concerns:

• Does a particular profile seem odd to you? Inform us about the profile by selecting the 'Report profile' function.
• Have you received a suspicious email during your search? Read more about how to recognise scam and typical scam methods.