High riskJob

Au Pair Scam

In this scam, a fake host family or agency offers an au pair placement abroad, then demands fees for visas, flights, or 'insurance', or sends an overpayment check, for a placement that does not exist.

Quick verdict

Risk level
High risk
Scam type
Advance-fee / overpayment (childcare abroad)
Main red flag
An au pair placement that requires upfront fees or sends an overpayment check.
What to do first
Use reputable agencies and never pay personal 'host families' upfront.

Understanding this scam

In this scam, a fake host family or agency offers an au pair placement abroad, then demands fees for visas, flights, or 'insurance', or sends an overpayment check, for a placement that does not exist.

Job and employment scams exploit hope and momentum with an easy "hire", work-from-home promises, and tasks that supposedly pay commission. The tell is the direction money flows: real employers pay you, while scams get you to pay in for training, equipment, or to "unlock" earnings, or to hand over bank and ID details.

If you take one thing from this guide, make it this: An au pair placement that requires upfront fees or sends an overpayment check. Use reputable agencies and never pay personal 'host families' upfront.

If your message looks slightly different, check the Nanny Job Scam or the Overseas Job Visa Scam, both are close cousins of this pattern. Every related guide lives in the Job Scams guides, and the scam checker can scan the text you received.

A typical example

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'You're our chosen au pair! Pay the $500 visa and insurance fee to our agent, or cash this check and send the balance for your flights.'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

The tell here: An au pair placement that requires upfront fees or sends an overpayment check.

What the data shows

Fast-growing
business and job-opportunity scams are among the fastest-growing fraud types reported to the FTC
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
$10.3B
total reported US fraud losses in 2023 across all categories
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

Warning signs

  • Upfront fees for visas, flights, or insurance
  • An overpayment check with money to send back
  • A host family or agency you cannot verify
  • Contact only through chat apps
  • Pressure to commit and pay quickly

Your safest response

  • Use reputable, verifiable au pair agencies
  • Verify host families and agencies independently
  • Never pay personal agents upfront or move check funds
  • Check visa rules on official immigration sites

If you have already engaged

  • If you paid, contact your bank or payment provider to try to recover it
  • If you sent check funds, expect a reversal and report it
  • If you shared documents, monitor for identity misuse
  • Report the scam and keep evidence

What to avoid

  • Do not pay upfront fees to a host family or agent
  • Do not move money from an overpayment check
  • Do not send documents to unverified parties

You might also see

High risk Job

Nanny Job Scam

This scam offers a well-paid nanny or caregiver role, then sends a cheque for more than agreed and asks you to forward the extra for 'supplies'; the cheque later bounces and you lose the money you sent.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Job

Overseas Job Visa Scam

This scam offers attractive jobs abroad and demands fees for visas, work permits, flights, or placement, sometimes leaving victims out of pocket or stranded with no real job waiting.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Job

Fake Job Offer Scam

This scam offers a job with little or no interview, then asks for upfront fees, personal documents, or bank details to 'set you up.'

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Questions people ask

Do real au pair placements charge me upfront fees?
Reputable agencies have clear, verifiable processes and do not have personal 'host families' demand upfront visa or flight fees. Such requests are scam signs.
They sent a check for my flights. Safe?
An overpayment check with a request to send the balance is a fake-check scam. Do not move the funds; the check will be reversed.
I paid an agent. What now?
Contact your bank to try to recover it, monitor for identity misuse if you shared documents, and report the scam.
How do I find a genuine placement?
Use reputable, verifiable au pair agencies, verify host families independently, and check visa rules on official immigration sites.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.