$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
fake childcare background check scam
Scammers posing as childcare providers or nanny agencies require parents to pay for a background check through a specific website that steals payment information and personal data.
“grandparent scam”
↑ 85%Key indicators
Usually targetsParents
Often hitsPayroll, HR, and finance teams
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$640
median reported loss
Typical range$40 – $4.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers respond to parents' childcare postings or list fake nanny services, establishing initial trust through professional communication.
2
They insist the parent must run a background check through a specific website as a condition of proceeding, claiming it is their preferred or required screening service.
3
The background check website is a phishing operation that collects the parent's credit card number, Social Security number, and other personal details.
What to do first
Use established background check services like Checkr, GoodHire, or your state's official background check system.
Related terms
nanny background check fraudchildcare screening scambabysitter verification scamParent and family scamsWebsiteRisingParentsFamiliesPayroll, HR, and finance teamsTech workers and developersParents and familiesUnited StatesCanadananny background check fraudchildcare screening scam
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Emily, 38, a parents, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate parent and family scams situation while using Website. Scammers respond to parents' childcare postings or list fake nanny services, establishing initial trust through professional communication.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: They insist the parent must run a background check through a specific website as a condition of proceeding, claiming it is their preferred or required screening service.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The background check website is a phishing operation that collects the parent's credit card number, Social Security number, and other personal details.
The outcome
Emily realized something was wrong when caregiver or agency insists you use a specific background check website you have never heard of. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Use established background check services like Checkr, GoodHire, or your state's official background check system. Emily's experience shows why caregiver or agency insists you use a specific background check website you have never heard of and background check site requires your social security number and credit card to run a check on someone else are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Caregiver or agency insists you use a specific background check website you have never heard of
- Background check site requires your Social Security number and credit card to run a check on someone else
- Website has no verifiable business address and was recently registered
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Use established background check services like Checkr, GoodHire, or your state's official background check system.
- ✓A legitimate caregiver will never require you to use a specific unknown website for screening.
- ✓Report fake background check sites to the FTC and the platform where you found the childcare listing.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The BBB reported a rise in background check scams targeting parents, with over 2,000 complaints about fraudulent screening websites in 2023.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Use established background check services like Checkr, GoodHire, or your state's official background check system.
- ✓A legitimate caregiver will never require you to use a specific unknown website for screening.
- ✓Report fake background check sites to the FTC and the platform where you found the childcare listing.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The BBB reported a rise in background check scams targeting parents, with over 2,000 complaints about fraudulent screening websites in 2023.
BBB Scam Tracker 2024
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Parents, Families
Geographic concentration
United States, Canada
Primary channel
Website — Parent and family scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Parents are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The growing number of reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The BBB reported a rise in background check scams targeting parents, with over 2,000 complaints about fraudulent screening websites in 2023.
Source notes
- BBB Scam Tracker 2024
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about fake childcare background check scam
How does the fake childcare background check scam work?+
Scammers respond to parents' childcare postings or list fake nanny services, establishing initial trust through professional communication. They insist the parent must run a background check through a specific website as a condition of proceeding, claiming it is their preferred or required screening service. The background check website is a phishing operation that collects the parent's credit card number, Social Security number, and other personal details.
What are the warning signs of fake childcare background check scam?+
Caregiver or agency insists you use a specific background check website you have never heard of Background check site requires your Social Security number and credit card to run a check on someone else Website has no verifiable business address and was recently registered
What should I do if I encounter fake childcare background check scam?+
Use established background check services like Checkr, GoodHire, or your state's official background check system. A legitimate caregiver will never require you to use a specific unknown website for screening. Report fake background check sites to the FTC and the platform where you found the childcare listing.
Who is most at risk for fake childcare background check scam?+
This scam primarily targets Parents, Families. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada and typically appears on Website.
Is fake childcare background check scam on the rise?+
fake childcare background check scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US, CA. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.
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