Recently hired a babysitter for our toddler from an online forum. When it came to pay, she sent Zelle details of a different person. When asked, she said it’s her cousin. Under what circumstance would someone do that and why? I haven’t encountered this before. TC: 325K
Is this before or after they actually did the job? If it’s before, that’s sketchy
Who cares. It’s her business
*recently Multiple red flags 🚩. Your babysitter might be dealing with financial abuse or exploitation. The website might be sketchy and instructing her on how to accept payments to facilitate fraud indirectly. I would file a report to the FTC and hire a different babysitter. Do your best to confirm that the person who shows up to watch your kid has the same name as the person you interacted with online. If they have public facing credentials, I’d cross check those records too. It doesn’t matter if she seemed nice, the safety of your kid is more important than being polite.
Tell her you don’t have Zelle and write a check to her.
Sketchy. Pay her cash but don't invite her back. If your gut is telling you something is off, it is. Best not to have this person around your children. Don't take chances.
+10000. You would be an idiot to take chances with your kid involved. If your guy tells you something is sketchy, end it right there
Illegal migrant.
This. Babysitting is one of the job options for people who don't have work authorization. They usually don't have any bank accounts so prefer cash payment, but will know someone who will help accept electronic payment for them.
They hired the babysitter off an online forum (e.g. craigslist). There was no background check.
Maybe she doesn’t have a Zelle account?
Could be any of the above but most likely just doesn't have Zelle.
Back when I was a blue collar worker we had one dude commit identity theft on his son (they both had the same name), so all his paychecks would get reported to the IRS as his son That was interesting
As long as you know it’s the babysitter who sent those details and request to you, what’s the issue? You trust them with your toddler didn’t you?
You are trusting your toddler with someone who won’t even leave a paper trail of your employment. For your child’s safety, do things the right way.