This is not about a problem concerning the children (as such, of course they were impacted but not what you think) or doing something to the home but possible identify theft and finance. Extremely long story but suffice to say she appears so wonderful, exactly what you are looking for - BUT wanting to change families as they treat her so badly etc. No reference available from that family because of the situation. We planned her arrival for over a month (should've thought that odd). Everything seems great, we took all precautions - concerning the children and physical posessions in the home. I had the usual review with her, how are things, happy, kids OK, anything we need to talk about etc? Her answer, nothing wrong, very happy, wonderful, kids great etc.. She disappeared in the night leaving a note that she went back to the former family for more money (who treated her so badly? - this after the litany of complaints how badly she was treated?) Her note said she was so sorry as we are such sweet people, nicest lady, sorry if we feel betrayed - that sort of thing. We have had au pairs for years - this never ever happened. We we lulled into a false sense of security because of our previously wonderful au pairs. She wrote SHE was in debt and needed more money - yet she is listed for a salary far less than we were providing her.

(Anyone wants a copy of this note let me know.) At first we were so angry - but now we are really scared (I feel so foolish too) and need to ensure others are not taken in like we were. I still cannot believe I let this happen. I know better now. We never thought about personal data, identity documents, bank statements, cheque books - all financial and personal records! All sittiing in a lovely filing cabinet next to computer and scanner/copier! I always leave my handbag in the kitchen - wallet with switch cards, credit cards. licence etc. Tonnes of pre-approved loans and credit card dccuments coming in the mail ... We all know about the petrol stations cloning cards, call centres in INDIA stealing details ("boyfriend" works in a call centre - why did I not put it together?!), shreading personal documents etc. We are careful people - but we never thought about the au pair doing this. She has a story about her boyfriend being in debt, he is a student in India - can she use our address for important documents being sent to her for him, constantly on the computer. Within first 2 days here there were all sorts of business envelopes arriving - she got the post - things were clearly planned before she even arrived, some were posted prior to her arrival. Now, here she is looking for her next victim family. She is listed here and also on another site. She tried to delete all the history on the family computer - but she was not so successful. She had been on all sorts of loan and finance sites. We are still trying to assess our exposure and under advice of police cancelling everything as well as checking and posting warnings on our file with experian etc. Please be warned of this person. Please also take it as a warning to be more careful. We thought we were.