Online Safety Tips

You'll sleep a little more soundly if you know you're doing all you can to protect yourself from online scams.

If you've been browsing Sittercity's Security Library, you're already doing a lot to protect yourself from online nanny scams and similar financial schemes.

Even though you're practically a scam expert right now, here are a few common sense tips to keep you safe online.

NEVER GIVE OUT YOUR PERSONAL EMAIL

It's like giving out your cell phone number to telemarketers - why give someone total access to you at all times? It's bad enough they can find you at home. Likewise, keep your personal email private and instead use your Sittercity account to correspond with others on the site. This will limit your long-term exposure to scams reaching your personal inbox.

DON'T RELEASE YOUR BACKGROUND CHECK TO JUST ANYONE

This is a big one. Even if you've never actually seen a background check, you still know that there's extremely sensitive, scam-friendly information included in there (Social Security number and home address, for example). If a Sittercity user you've never spoken with requests your background check, do not release it. You wouldn't wear a neon t-shirt with that information plastered on it, would you? (We hope not, because neon is a really obnoxious color.) Regardless, you need you keep this information very guarded.

REPORT SCAMS AND VIOLATIONS TO SITTERCITY

It's your responsibility to protect yourself, but it's our responsibility to make Sittercity as safe and user-friendly as possible. If you receive a scam, come across verbal abuse or notice any other violations of our Terms of Use, let us know. We'll investigate the situation thoroughly and make the appropriate decision on how to handle the user in question, reviewing which of our swift, effective resolutions we should implement.

USE THE BLOCK USER TOOL

Of course, if you and Sitter Z are simply not getting along, as long as neither of you are in violation of our Terms of Use, we won't step in. We're all adults here, so you must go with an adult resolution, which, in this case, is basically the equivalent of sticking your fingers in your ears and going, "Na, na, na, na, na... I can't hear you!" It's the Block User tool. Before your rift escalates into anything more, put an end to it by blocking your new enemy and save yourself some time and energy.

TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS

We've said it before and we'll say it again: trust your instincts when it comes to building relationships online. If something doesn't feel right or your inner voice is trying to tell you something, even if it seems more incoherent than a co-ed at a frat party, don't ignore the basic instinct. It's better to err on the side of caution and be out one babysitting job than to get roped into some sort of scheme against your better judgment.