Undocumented? Refusing to show ID

[Anonymous]

I was looking for a babysitter on NextDoor and had an unexpected experience, wondering to learn more. I met a woman who seemed like a good fit. We agreed on the rate, start time. But when I asked her for a proof of name, proof of address so that I know who the kids are with, she refused to share this.

I am assuming that she's won't show ID because undocumented, not because she's a child abductor. But - since it is common for folks to hire such workers, how do you trust your kids to go with someone without REALLY knowing their name, address, etc? Is that common practice?

(And no, we won't be hiring her. Taking the rest to care.com, where background checks already done).

[Anonymous]

She should have offered it to you. Even illegals have passports and mail with address on it.
As a babysitter, I would also let you come and check out my home.

[Anonymous]

I don’t even care with the reason was—I would have laughed at her refusal and then asked “so are there seriously parents who just allow you to be responsible for their children without any documentation of your identity??? Fascinating. Yeah—we aren’t those parents….”

[Anonymous]

The name the woman told me is so common, may as well have said Jane Smith. Should I be worried that a very unsavory character now knows my home address? (Half joking) that she works for the mafia and pretends to be a nanny to get access to people's homes, or is it more likely that she's just insists on anonymous/under the table work? And people actually let total strangers care for their children?

[Anonymous]

I'm curious, was the rate really low? There are desperate parents out there who work very low-paying jobs and need childcare. My late aunt with a cognitive disability and hearing aids that could only restore 25% of her hearing worked for many years as a nanny for people who couldn't afford anyone else!!!

She must be recently arrived, or very afraid of being deported, or in between addresses. Many more established immigrants who have overstayed their visa or who are here illegally have a state ID and proof of address.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious, was the rate really low? There are desperate parents out there who work very low-paying jobs and need childcare. My late aunt with a cognitive disability and hearing aids that could only restore 25% of her hearing worked for many years as a nanny for people who couldn't afford anyone else!!!

She must be recently arrived, or very afraid of being deported, or in between addresses. Many more established immigrants who have overstayed their visa or who are here illegally have a state ID and proof of address.

Rate doesn't seem low. We're new to this, I offered $25/hr based on a search "2024 market rate for babysitting two children." Now going to search this forum to see if that's too low. But seems ok?

[Anonymous]

OP this was yet some illegal it was a scammer run

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The name the woman told me is so common, may as well have said Jane Smith. Should I be worried that a very unsavory character now knows my home address? (Half joking) that she works for the mafia and pretends to be a nanny to get access to people's homes, or is it more likely that she's just insists on anonymous/under the table work? And people actually let total strangers care for their children?

The mafia? I would be worried about a child trafficking ring.

[Anonymous]

I have babysat for a ton of families that never saw my ID. I even had tons of nanny jobs as well. I can’t remember when someone asked for my ID actually now that you brought it up. I’m white though and it’s obvious I’m from the US. No one was worried I was illegal. They still should have verified my name. My families pay with PayPal or Zelle so my legal name is documented.

[Anonymous]

There’s a difference between a casual babysitter and a nanny. You need a persons ID, social security number etc to run proper legal payroll, pay taxes etc.

[Anonymous]

you need and ID to run a criminal background check, both state and federal database, like they do when hiring for daycare centers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious, was the rate really low? There are desperate parents out there who work very low-paying jobs and need childcare. My late aunt with a cognitive disability and hearing aids that could only restore 25% of her hearing worked for many years as a nanny for people who couldn't afford anyone else!!!

She must be recently arrived, or very afraid of being deported, or in between addresses. Many more established immigrants who have overstayed their visa or who are here illegally have a state ID and proof of address.

Rate doesn't seem low. We're new to this, I offered $25/hr based on a search "2024 market rate for babysitting two children." Now going to search this forum to see if that's too low. But seems ok?

I don’t think your rate is too low at all. Super weird that she wouldn’t show you ID for a very decent and respectable rate. You are wise to move on and find someone sane!

[Anonymous]

Hi OP, I've been a nanny and ad-hoc sitter for close to 20 years and have met many families who asked for a picture of my ID before starting care for their kids - I'm well versed in scams and these are families I vetted myself and met before care ever started, as I don't give out my personal info to anyone. Any sitter that would refuse to show you any sort of identification that you can use for a bgc would be a red flag imo.

[Anonymous]

The assumptions here are laughable. To believe that someone who refuses to show her ID has nothing to do with the immigration status; the caregiver is likely trying to see if the job is a fit first and foremost. If there’s chemistry between fam and caregiver then a formal and proper conversation along with contract comes next and caregiver would have to submit ID SS only IF the potential employer is offering a decent salary with benefits otherwise is a waste of time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The assumptions here are laughable. To believe that someone who refuses to show her ID has nothing to do with the immigration status; the caregiver is likely trying to see if the job is a fit first and foremost. If there’s chemistry between fam and caregiver then a formal and proper conversation along with contract comes next and caregiver would have to submit ID SS only IF the potential employer is offering a decent salary with benefits otherwise is a waste of time.

Then you say that.