Back to Guide

Safety & Trust

How we keep our community safe and how you can protect yourself.

How DearAuPair protects you

Email verification

Every user must verify their email address before they can use the platform.

Card verification for families

Host families must verify a credit card through Stripe. No charge is made — it's an identity verification step that prevents fake accounts.

Captcha protection

Automated bot signups are blocked by Cloudflare Turnstile.

Block and report

You can block any user and report suspicious behavior. Our team reviews every report.

Reviews and ratings

After a hire is completed, both parties can leave reviews. This builds trust and accountability over time.

Red flags for au pairs

Be cautious if a family:

  • ⚠ Refuses to video call before you arrive
  • ⚠ Asks you to pay any fees or deposits
  • ⚠ Offers unusually high pocket money (could be a scam)
  • ⚠ Doesn't want to sign a contract
  • ⚠ Expects you to work more than the legal limit
  • ⚠ Doesn't want to provide a private room
  • ⚠ Pressures you to make a quick decision
  • ⚠ Asks you to communicate outside the platform before meeting

Red flags for families

Be cautious if an au pair:

  • ⚠ Has a very vague profile with no specific childcare experience
  • ⚠ Refuses to provide references
  • ⚠ Seems more interested in the country than in childcare
  • ⚠ Asks for money before arriving
  • ⚠ Can't or won't do a video call
  • ⚠ Has inconsistent information in their profile and conversation
  • ⚠ Pressures you to make a quick decision

Best practices for everyone

Always video call first

Never agree to an arrangement without at least one video call. This is the single best way to verify someone is real and get a feel for compatibility.

Sign a written contract

A contract protects both parties. Include working hours, duties, pocket money, holidays, notice period, and house rules.

Keep communication on the platform

Use DearAuPair messaging for initial conversations. This creates a record and our team can help if issues arise.

Trust your instincts

If something feels wrong, it probably is. Don't ignore red flags just because a profile looks good on paper.

Report suspicious behavior

If someone asks for money, sends inappropriate messages, or behaves suspiciously, report them immediately. We take every report seriously.

Need help?

If you feel unsafe or need to report an incident, contact us immediately.

Email us at [email protected]