Letting a stranger come into your home is a big deal, especially when that someone is there to take care of your prize possession, your kids. Can you just imagine being a new Mom coming home concerned that your new Nanny has taken great care of your baby, checking to see that all is well and your little one is happy and safe? Weeks later after you have found out that new Nanny left town do you see your credit card was racked up and money is missing from your home? Ouch, what a blow, you were robbed by the same woman you hired to protect your kids?
I recently read an article of a woman that did just that to many families a few years ago. She stole more then $100,000 from several families by posing as someone else and using their name and information to serve as her way into being hired, being trusted, only to rip these innocent people off. She didn’t just work for families; she preyed on first time moms with new babies, sleep deprived and desperate for help. Now, come on, right? Any mom can tell you how insanely exhausted and irrational you are in the first couple of months! This woman was good, she went right for the easy targets. How awful to know she worked so hard to have them believe she was an experienced caregiver, wanting to help them get some sleep at night and watch over there new babies, meanwhile she is snooping in their computers and snatching their wallets.
As if bringing a perfect stranger into your home isn’t hard enough. You really have to take your time when you hire a nanny, now more then ever. The list of concerns is a mile long. This woman used craigslist, a popular and useful tool for finding services and goods as a way to gain information on legitimate nannies actually seeking employment. When the families would check out her background etc, they would find a clean record with wonderful references. Sadly they didn’t belong to the women they were welcoming into their homes.
If you are interviewing someone, you may just want to take some extra steps. Ask the former families what this person looks like or other questions that might help you be sure of her identity if there is any question at all. Get a second opinion. Have a family member or friend speak to them and get a feel for their personality. Do not go it alone, use agencies that work solely to match up Nannies with families. Let them worry about the details. Check out online recruiting services like www.citinannies.net as they offer a variety of pre-screening services to ensure you hire a great nanny who’s identity is verified.
Desperately Seeking Mary Poppins... 