Scammers Are Posing as Parents: What Early Childhood Programs Need to Know

Early childhood programs are trusted helpers for families, especially when a parent needs care quickly. Unfortunately, scammers know this too. A recent warning from the Federal Trade Commission says scammers are pretending to be parents who need immediate child care and are targeting providers through email, text messages, social media, and online caregiving platforms.

The scam often starts with a message from someone who says they are moving to the area, sometimes from another state or even another country. They may sound polite, grateful, and eager to secure a space for their child. They may offer to pay in advance by check to “hold” the child care spot. At first, this may seem like a serious family trying to plan ahead. But then comes the warning sign: the check arrives for more money than expected.

The scammer then claims they made a mistake and asks the provider to send back the extra money. They may ask for the refund through a wire transfer, payment app, gift card, or cryptocurrency. These payment methods are difficult to recover once the money is sent.

This is a common fake check scam.

Why This Scam Works

Many people believe that once money appears in their bank account, the check has cleared. That is not always true. Banks may make funds available before a check has been fully verified. If the check later turns out to be fake, the bank removes the money from the account. If the provider already sent money back to the scammer, that money is usually gone.

For small businesses, including family child care homes and child care centers, this can be a serious financial loss. Providers are already managing staffing, supplies, tuition, licensing requirements, family communication, and daily safety needs. A scam like this can create stress, confusion, and unexpected costs.

That is why awareness matters. Preparedness is not only about fire drills, emergency plans, or lockdown procedures. It also includes protecting your business, your finances, your staff, and the families who depend on you.

Red Flags to Watch For

Be cautious when someone you do not know reaches out with an urgent request for child care, especially if you have never met them or worked with them before. The FTC recommends taking your time before engaging with someone who is pressuring you to act quickly.

Watch for these warning signs:

• Someone says they need child care immediately but avoids meeting in person or completing your usual enrollment process.

• Someone says they are moving from out of state or overseas and wants to pay before you have verified their information.

• Someone sends a check for more than the amount you charge.

• Someone asks you to return the “extra” money.

• Someone asks you to send money by wire transfer, payment app, gift card, or cryptocurrency.

• Someone pressures you to act quickly before the check has fully cleared.

• The clearest warning sign is simple: if someone sends you a check and then asks you to send part of the money back, treat it as a scam.

What Child Care Providers Should Do

The Institute for Childhood Preparedness encourages child care leaders to slow down, follow written procedures, and trust their instincts. A scammer’s goal is to make you feel rushed. Your goal is to stay calm, verify information, and protect your program.

Here are practical steps to take:

Do not accept a check for more than you charge. If the amount is wrong, do not deposit it and do not send money back.

Never return an overpayment by wire transfer, payment app, gift card, or cryptocurrency. These payments are hard to reverse and are commonly used in scams.

Wait until a check has fully cleared before using the funds. Seeing money in your account does not always mean the check is legitimate.

Use your normal enrollment process every time. Require completed paperwork, emergency contacts, authorized pickup information, payment agreements, and any other steps your program uses before care begins.

Train your team. Make sure directors, family child care owners, administrative staff, and anyone who handles payments knows what this scam looks like.

Document suspicious messages. Save emails, texts, usernames, phone numbers, check images, envelopes, and any payment requests.

Report suspected fraud. Anyone who believes they were targeted can report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

A Prepared Program Is a Stronger Program

This scam is a reminder that safety and preparedness include more than what happens inside the classroom. A strong child care program also has safe payment practices, clear communication procedures, and staff who know what to do when something does not feel right.

Scammers often rely on urgency. Prepared providers rely on plans.

Take a few minutes this week to talk with your staff about this scam. Review how your program accepts payments. Decide who is allowed to respond to unfamiliar enrollment requests. Make sure everyone knows that overpayment requests are a major warning sign.

The goal is not to be fearful. The goal is to be ready.

At the Institute for Childhood Preparedness, our motto is: Don’t be scared, be prepared. Staying informed is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to protect your child care business, your staff, and the families you serve.

Sources

Federal Trade Commission, “Fake check scam targets childcare providers,” June 4, 2026:https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/05/fake-check-scam-targets-childcare-providers

WBAL-TV, “FTC: Scammers are targeting childcare providers with fake checks,” June 2026:https://www.wbaltv.com/article/ftc-fake-check-scam-childcare-providers/71509261

FTC fraud reporting website:https://ReportFraud.ftc.gov