Is Care.com Legit and Safe? A Complete Review

Care.com is an online marketplace that connects families with caregivers. Since 2006, it’s been a popular place to find babysitters, nannies, pet sitters, tutors, senior caregivers, and even housekeepers. Families can post jobs or browse caregiver profiles, while caregivers can apply for jobs that fit their skills and schedules. What makes it appealing is the convenience—you can search, message, and even pay caregivers through the platform. Background checks are available too, which adds extra peace of mind. While scams can sometimes appear, Care.com is legit and safe when you use its tools wisely and do your own screening.

Finding care for your loved ones—whether it’s a babysitter for your kids, a tutor for your teenager, or a caregiver for an elderly parent—isn’t easy. Trust and safety are top priorities, but so are convenience and choice. That’s why millions of families turn to Care.com, an online marketplace designed to connect families with caregivers.

But the internet being the internet, one big question always pops up: Is Care.com legit and safe, or is it a scam waiting to happen?

In this review, we’ll dig deep into what Care.com is, how it works, its features, security, pros, cons, and real-world reputation. And don’t worry—I’ll keep it simple, friendly, and human, so you don’t feel like you’re reading a 40-page legal contract.

What Care.com Means

Care.com is a global online marketplace for caregiving services. Founded in 2006, the platform is based in Waltham, Massachusetts, and is widely recognized as one of the biggest names in the caregiving space.

The company went public in 2014 but was acquired in 2020 by IAC (the same parent company behind brands like Angi and Ask.com). This move gave Care.com even more backing and credibility.

In short: Care.com is legitimate—it’s not a shady website run from a basement somewhere. It’s a large, established business that’s been helping families and caregivers connect for nearly two decades.

How Care.com Works

Care.com works like a matchmaking site for caregiving. Here’s the process simplified:

For Families/Employers

1. Sign Up – Create a free account. You can browse profiles or post a job listing describing your needs.
2. Search or Post – Look through caregiver profiles (babysitters, pet sitters, tutors, housekeepers, eldercare providers, etc.) or wait for applicants.
3. Review Profiles – Each profile includes details such as experience, reviews, availability, and sometimes background checks.
4. Contact Caregivers – Premium members can message caregivers directly.
5. Hire and Pay – Once you find a match, you agree on pay and schedule. Payments can be handled through Care.com or directly, depending on your arrangement.

For Caregivers/Workers

1. Sign Up – Create a profile listing your skills, experience, rates, and availability.
2. Search Jobs – Look through job postings in your area.
3. Apply/Message – Contact families and apply for roles.
4. Get Hired – Families choose whether to hire you.
5. Work and Earn – Payments may go through Care.com’s system (for extra security).

It’s basically the Uber of caregiving—except instead of rides, you’re matching care jobs with families.

Features of Care.com

Here are the standout features that make Care.com popular:

1. Wide Range of Services

Care.com isn’t just about babysitting. It covers:

• Childcare (babysitters, nannies, tutors)
• Senior care (companions, aides, medical support)
• Pet care (dog walkers, sitters)
• Housekeeping
• Special needs care

2. Profiles and Reviews

Caregivers create profiles with bios, skills, reviews, and sometimes photos or videos. Families can read ratings and testimonials from other clients.

3. Background Checks

Care.com offers background checks—basic ones included with premium memberships, and deeper checks available for an extra fee.

4. Secure Messaging and Payment

Families and caregivers can communicate within the platform. Payments can also be processed securely through Care.com.

5. Mobile App

Care.com has a handy app, so you can post jobs, review applicants, and message caregivers on the go.

6. Safety Resources

The site has safety guidelines, articles, and tips to help families screen and hire responsibly.

Is Care.com Legit?

Yes, Care.com is legit. Here’s why:

• History and Size: Operating since 2006, with millions of families and caregivers worldwide.
• Corporate Backing: Acquired by IAC, a giant in the digital marketplace industry.
• Global Reach: Services available in over 20 countries.
• Transparency: Offers real profiles, real reviews, and background check options.

If you’re wondering, “Is Care.com legitimate?”, the answer is absolutely yes.

Is Care.com Safe?

Now for the juicy part: Is Care.com safe?

The answer: Care.com is safe overall, but you must use common sense.

Here’s why it’s safe:

• Background Checks – Optional, but available.
• Secure Payments – Using Care.com’s payment system adds an extra layer of protection.
• Review System – Helps families and caregivers vet each other.
• Corporate Accountability – As a large company, Care.com has to maintain standards.

But here’s where caution comes in:

• Not All Caregivers Are Verified – Some profiles are user-generated and may not have background checks.
• Scams Can Slip Through – Like any large marketplace, fake profiles or scammy families can sneak in.
• Responsibility Is Shared – Care.com gives tools, but it’s up to you to interview, check references, and use background checks.

So yes, Care.com is safe, but it’s not foolproof.

Is Care.com a Scam?

Let’s clear this up: Care.com itself is not a scam. It’s a genuine, legitimate business.

However, like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, scammers sometimes use Care.com to try to trick people. Examples include:

• Fake families posting jobs to steal personal info.
• Fake caregivers creating profiles to scam families.
• Payment scams (e.g., overpayment and refund tricks).

These are not Care.com itself—they’re bad actors on the platform. The company has reporting tools and fraud detection systems, but you should always stay alert.

Security and Transparency

Two of the biggest factors in whether a site is trustworthy are security and transparency.

• Security: Care.com uses secure payment systems, encrypted communication, and fraud monitoring. It encourages background checks for added security.
• Transparency: Families can see caregiver bios, reviews, and background check status. Caregivers can see family job postings and sometimes reviews.

This makes Care.com much more transparent than word-of-mouth hiring or classified ads.

Pros And Cons of Care.com

Pros

• Care.com is legit – trusted since 2006 with millions of users.
• Care.com is safe – secure payments and background check options.
• Huge variety of services: babysitting, tutoring, pet care, senior care, housekeeping.
• Easy to browse caregiver profiles and read reviews.
• Convenient app for posting jobs, messaging, and paying.

Cons

• Not every caregiver is verified—extra screening is on you.
• Premium membership costs money for full features.
• Some scammy profiles or fake job posts may slip through.
• Customer service reviews are mixed.

Who Should Use Care.com?

Great for:

• Families needing babysitters, nannies, or tutors.
• Families seeking senior care or special needs assistance.
• Pet owners looking for walkers or sitters.
• Households needing housekeeping support.
• Caregivers looking for flexible work opportunities.

Not ideal for:

• People unwilling to pay for premium features.
• Families who want guaranteed verification of every candidate.
• Anyone who doesn’t want to do their own due diligence.

Real Customer Experiences

Like any big platform, Care.com has mixed reviews:

• Positive: Many families say they found long-term, trustworthy caregivers. Caregivers appreciate the steady job postings.
• Negative: Some users complain about scams, unexpected charges, or poor customer service.

The takeaway? Care.com is legit and safe, but your personal experience will depend on how careful and proactive you are.

Tips for Staying Safe on Care.com

1. Run a Background Check – Don’t skip this step.
2. Interview in Person – Always meet in a safe, public place first.
3. Use Secure Payments – Pay through Care.com when possible.
4. Check References – Speak directly with previous employers.
5. Trust Your Instincts – If something feels off, walk away.

My Personal Take

If you asked me, “Would you use Care.com?”, I’d say: Yes, but with eyes wide open.

I love that Care.com is legit and offers convenience for busy families. I also like the secure payments and background check options. But I’d never skip doing my own homework. For something as important as caring for a loved one, extra caution is always worth it.

Final Verdict: Is Care.com Legit and Safe?

Here’s the bottom line:

• Care.com is legit – It’s a real, established company with millions of users.
• Care.com is safe – With secure tools and background checks, it offers protections, though it’s not foolproof.
• Not a scam – Scammers exist on the platform, but the site itself is genuine.
• Best advice – Use Care.com as a tool, but always do your own screening for true peace of mind.

So, if you’re asking: “Is Care.com legit and safe?”, the answer is: Yes—it’s legitimate, safe, and useful, but you must still take precautions.

Care.com FAQ

Q1: Is Care.com legit?
Yes. Care.com is legit. It’s been around since 2006, has millions of users, and is backed by a large parent company, IAC.

Q2: Is Care.com safe?
Yes. Care.com is safe, especially if you use background checks, secure payments, and follow safety tips.

Q3: Is Care.com a scam?
No. Care.com is not a scam, but like any large platform, scammers can sometimes slip through. Stay cautious.

Q4: What services does Care.com offer?
Babysitting, nannying, senior care, tutoring, housekeeping, pet care, and more.

Q5: Do I have to pay to use Care.com?
Creating an account is free, but messaging caregivers and some features require a paid membership.