Nanny Scam: A Site to Avoid!
We understand that we have an open relationship with our babysitters: We don’t demand that they use Sittercity and Sittercity alone. We just care that they’re here and they’re qualified. So for all of your sitters looking for even more ways to land jobs, you’ll want to read this.
Leslie Horn, a 36-year-old mother was looking for a way to bring in some extra cash when she saw a newspaper ad for a nanny. Perfect! And at $700/week, it was a good arrangement for already doing what you love. Leslie gathered her references, envisioned herself in the role and called the number (678.318.3650) in the ad to apply for the position.
After the first ring, a recording picked up:
“Hi. If you’re responding to the ad in the paper, we’re looking for an energetic, fun-loving individual that can perform light housekeeping, can drive and most of all loves children. The salary is $700 per week and upon review of an application, we would call you in for an interview. You may apply immediately for this position at www.wonderfulnanny.com.”
Leslie went to the site, which identifies the company as Rodney J. Murphy and Associates and claims, “We guarantee a perfect match.” A link to another page identifies the company as a “professional nanny placement” service serving the United States and Canada. It lists one single job opportunity with no details about where the job is located.
At the bottom of the page, a new link takes nannies to a PayPal account, where they are asked to give up personal information along with their credit card number to pay a $10 “refundable” registration fee.
Anyone getting suspicious yet?
“Once I put in my credit card number, it just asked for like my name, phone number, address — it looked just like a job application,” Leslie said. “It asked for references, how long I’ve known them and their addresses and phone numbers.”
Despite a seemingly credible application, this is NOT a legit operation. And we say “is” because this website is still active!
Three days after applying, Leslie was told that the position was filled, despite the fact that the job posting is still up and the site is still functioning. She canceled her credit card and did a little digging online to see if her experience was common.
It was. In fact, this scam has been running for AT LEAST 4 YEARS! It’s been in places like Cincinnati, Chicago, Kentucky, West Virgina and several more.
If you ever come across Rodney J. Murphy and Associates, wonderfulnanny.com or the Georgia phone number listed above, do NOT get involved.
Please pass this info along to your nanny friends as well.
April 29th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
As an older, over 50yrs old, experienced nanny I know what to look for when searching ads. I received an email from craigslist that I knew immediately was a scam. Thank you for posting this info for the nannies who may be younger and/or less experienced. A good rule to remember is -if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is a scam. The first clue is a weekly salary that is way out of line with the norm.
Good luck to all
April 29th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Whether you’re 50 or 16, no one knows who is on the other side of the computer trying to scam you.
Thanks for the heads up.
April 30th, 2008 at 6:30 am
Hi every body, Ive been a nanny since 2000 and I have never came accross these scams up until a few weeks ago I recieved maybe about 3 or 4 emails one coming from sittercity, ofcourse I reported it, All I have to say to the other nannies if you don’t meet them in person don’t give them any info through the phone or online.
April 30th, 2008 at 10:33 am
May 23rd, 2008 at 9:03 pm
wow that’s pretty bad. Someone should blast them off the net.
May 25th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
I came across this same scam almost 4 years ago and yes I did give them my $10. Of course like everybody else, nothing ever came of it. I can’t believe they are still on the internet scamming people. Can’t we do something about this?
May 27th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Yep, they got me too. Being from Alabama,trusting attitude got me in trouble. We have to find a way to stop these guys! They are getting people left and right all over the country! What can we do?
May 27th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
great! I didn’t give a credit card, but I gave my name, address and phone number. What do I do now?
June 2nd, 2008 at 8:49 pm
I just came across this in Wisconsin. I had been looking for a nanny job in the summr and thought WOW! but then i did some research on this uy and found the article about him scamming. WATCH OUT!
June 11th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
I live in Mobile, AL and was scammed by this company in March. I email them on almost a daily basis and the last email I received from “Caroline” was on May 18 asking me what my Paypal transaction number was so she could send me the refund I have been asking for since March. Haven’t gotten it of course. I even contacted the BBB in Atlanta to let them know what was going on. We need to figure out a way to gang up on these scammers and let them know it’s NOT ok to do this!! I will be contacting the Attorney General in Atlanta to see if anything can be done.
July 12th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
The ad just showed up in the newspaper in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. I thought it sounded too good to be true.