TL;DR: Care.com lets caregivers and families build detailed profiles and offers optional background checks that families can run before hiring, which is a meaningful step up from word-of-mouth-only hiring. A background check is only as good as the identity behind the profile, and Care.com has seen its share of fake caregiver profiles and fake "clients" who never intend to actually hire, instead angling for personal information.
Care.com is widely used, and for most people, most of the time, it works exactly as intended. Care.com lets caregivers and families build detailed profiles and offers optional background checks that families can run before hiring, which is a meaningful step up from word-of-mouth-only hiring.
What the Real Risks Are
A background check is only as good as the identity behind the profile, and Care.com has seen its share of fake caregiver profiles and fake "clients" who never intend to actually hire, instead angling for personal information.
Red Flags to Watch For
A "family" offering a job with no interview and an unusually high rate, and any request to pay for a background check or training materials yourself before being hired.
How to Use Care.com Safely
Keep all payments and communication inside Care.com’s own official app or platform — never move to text, email, or another app at someone else’s request. Verify who you’re dealing with before sending money or personal information, and turn on any extra security features Care.com offers.
If this looks similar to something else you've seen, it's worth reading Is Cash App Safe? What to Know Before You Use It.
This pattern shows up elsewhere too — see Is Chime Safe? What to Know Before You Use It.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Care.com safe to use?
Care.com lets caregivers and families build detailed profiles and offers optional background checks that families can run before hiring, which is a meaningful step up from word-of-mouth-only hiring.
What are the main risks of using Care.com?
A background check is only as good as the identity behind the profile, and Care.com has seen its share of fake caregiver profiles and fake "clients" who never intend to actually hire, instead angling for personal information.
What red flags should I watch for on Care.com?
A "family" offering a job with no interview and an unusually high rate, and any request to pay for a background check or training materials yourself before being hired.
How do I stay safe while using Care.com?
Keep all payments and communication within Care.com’s own official app or platform, verify who you’re dealing with before sending money, and enable any security features Care.com offers, such as two-factor authentication.
What should I do if something goes wrong on Care.com?
Report the issue directly to Care.com’s support team, contact your bank or card issuer if money was involved, and change your password immediately if your account may be compromised.