We compiled this list in 2022 based on parents' comments about their interactions with the scammer Mariana Monticalvo (see Nanny Scams for more information about this scam.)
Red Flags
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Nanny doesn't have a photo ID. If the nanny can't show you a photo ID, this should be a deal breaker. Mariana claimed to be waiting for a new ID after a name change. In fact, she couldn't show an ID because she was using the name and credentials of another nanny who was registered with TrustLine and had good references.
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Credentials sound too good to be true. Mariana presented herself as a parent's dream nanny because she stole text from other nannies' posts. She claimed to have a BA, many years experience as a nanny as well as a teacher, and experience with every age child. She described herself as fully vaccinated, very flexible for part time or full time, well-organized, compassionate, responsible, fun loving, and honest (!) Mariana copied text from several other nannies' resumes.
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Repeatedly texting, phoning or emailing you in a short amount of time. A number of parents told us that Mariana sent them the same email 2 or 3 times, or texted the same request repeatedly. "She sent a lot of unsolicited information about her qualifications via text and email and much of it was copies of previous info" one parent said, and "now she keeps calling me to set up a time to meet." Another parent wrote: "she has repeatedly texted me asking for a draft contract (I mentioned we had an old version from our previous nanny). I wonder if she wants it as another piece of con-artist collateral: perhaps having a contract makes her more able to seem legitimate"
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Immediately asking to be paid "off the books." Many nannies don't want their income reported to the IRS or they are not legal to work in the US, so paying a nanny under the table is not uncommon. However, most nannies with many years of experience want to be paid legally because it is their career. In any case, paying a nanny under the table is a negotiation that usually comes up later in the interview process, not the very first thing. A parent wrote: "within a few minutes of our first conversation, she asked whether we were willing to work under the table."
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Asking for a large deposit. Deposits, while common for home daycares and preschools, are highly unusual for nannies. Most nannies are paid after the work has taken place. Mariana has a history of demanding a deposit of several thousand dollars, saying that another family is interested too, and the deposit would hold the parent's spot. Once she had the deposit in hand, Mariana disappeared.
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Asking detailed personal questions, especially about your income, where you work, and whether you own your home. This helps the scammer determine whether you are a worthwhile target. A parent who interviewed Mariana said "She was the only nanny we had ever interviewed who asked us what our jobs were, and suggested that we buy a new house!"
How to Avoid a Nanny Scammer
When you're looking for a nanny ...
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Don't include your email or phone number in your BPN post (or on Craigslist if you're using that.) The nanny can contact you using BPN's messaging system. This keeps your name and contact info private until you have more information about the nanny, and it also creates a linkage to the nanny's BPN account in case there are questions later.
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Ask if they are registered with TrustLine, a California database of background checks for nannies and babysitters. But be aware that many nannies working locally are not in TrustLine because while it's free for parents, nannies must pay $135 to register. Some nannies may be reluctant to register with a state-run database if they are worried about their immigration status, or they are not reporting all their income in order to qualify for state & federal benefits. On the other hand, a career nanny who claims many years of experience and has a college degree is much more likely to be in TrustLine. If they say they aren't, ask why. If they say they are, call TrustLine 1-800-822-8490 to confirm. Note: TrustLine flags names that have been used in identity fraud cases, so you will also find out this info when you call.
- Arrange to meet with the nanny in person, with your child, before making any agreements or giving the nanny a lot of personal information. A parent who was contacted by Mariana told us that "initially Mariana was not willing to set up a time to meet in person" and then texted the parent 2 hours later to set up an interview.
When you meet with the nanny in person ...
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Ask to see a photo ID. A scammer may be using a fake name or even another nanny's identity and will not be able to show you an ID. One parent told us that Mariana claimed she did not have an ID because she had recently changed her name and was waiting for a new driver's license. We know that she frequently used the names of other nannies when interviewing for jobs in order to hijack their Trustline record and references, so you want to confirm the nanny is who she says she is.
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Observe how the nanny interacts with your child. A parent who met with Mariana said "she was TOTALLY uninterested in the baby and instead asked questions about our jobs and financial situation."
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See TrustLine's Tips on Choosing a Provider for more questions you can ask during the interview. Many parents like to interview the nanny in person first, and then follow-up with a trial babysitting hour or two.
After you've met with the nanny ...
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Google the nanny's name and email. Most nannies will not have much of an online presence, if any at all, and will not turn up on google, but a scammer might. One family became suspicious after "Mari" asked for a large deposit, so they googled the name she gave, which turned out to be an alias for Mariana Monticalvo that was listed in a news article following one of her arrests. Once they knew her legal name, they found news articles about her many arrests and convictions. See Nanny Scams for details.
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Speak with the nanny's references. Don't just email or text -- talk to them on the phone and try to gage whether they seem like a local parent who has hired a nanny in the past. Be aware that the reference a scammer gives you might be an accomplice or even the scammer herself. Two parents told us about contacting Mariana's reference "Amanda Adams". One of the parents said: "I corresponded with [Amanda] through text to try to schedule a call. I received a call back from a "No caller ID number." She said she was Amanda, calling me from her landline. She had a very suspicious sounding British accent. I believe this was just Mari posing as a fake reference."
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Trust your instincts. If anything seems odd, investigate further or move on. One parent wrote: "We met with her, and almost did a trial with her. But cancelled the trial since something felt off. She was unusually direct...." Another parent said "I spoke to her on Monday a few hours before I learned about the scam, and I did not get a good vibe from her on the phone. It’s good to know my instincts were correct."
If you are scammed by a nanny:
- Notify your local police and file a report if a crime has taken place (if the nanny stole money from you.)
- File a complaint with the FTC to report an internet crime: reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/
- File a complaint with the FBI: www.ic3.gov/ (internet crime through IC3)
- Let BPN know so we can inform other parents