is it a scammer?

I have worked with a host family and be introduce directly to a sponsor GREATAUPAIR LLC and meet a host family specialist. I have mailed with the host family specialist. I checked everything relate to her and thí Sponsor. Really, She has worked as host family specialist in GREATAUPAIR LLC in USA. I made payment for my aupair program is 1150USD and 380USD for fees ( as SEVIS, I-94 card, ship fee, tax clearance). Finally, She told me that all of my papers have been approved but the US Department of State has not released for my papers that cause She have not sent it back to me.And I have to make B.T.A ( Basic Travel Allowance 1500USD). In processing my documents, host family don't ask me for any payments. All of payments only from Host family specialist of GREATAUPAIR LLC. Am I falling in a SCAM? Please let me know!
Thanks so much!

Yes, it is a scam. Can you please post the emails sent to you and the email address. Please remove your personal information from them.

You will meet the agency face to face in your country prior to being an Au Pair in the US. If this is not done then it is a scam. Please see the link below.

viewtopic.php?f=42&t=3019

United States of America

In the USA, all au pairs must go through one of a number of designated sponsor organisations - host families do not directly deal with the arrangement of the au pair's visa/travel etc.

This is the official US Department of State webpage on Au Pair J-1 Visas http://j1visa.state.gov/programs/au-pair.

This page lists the authorised sponsors for the Au Pair program http://j1visa.state.gov/participants/ho ... =Au%20Pair.

If someone claims to be an au pair sponsor and they are not on this list then they are lying.
If they appear on the list, but quote a website that is different to the one on this page - or they use an email address that is not linked to the website listed on this page then they are lying.

[AlanJones]

meet a host family specialist

Did you actually physically meet the specialist?

What email address was the person from GREATAUPAIR LLC using?

Here is what the US Embassy Website says about BTA

Beware of anyone who requests funds for a BTA, or Basic Travel Allowance, as a requirement to depart another country for the United States. There is no such thing as a BTA. In other cases, your Internet friend will claim to need a travel allowance, or travel money, to be able to travel to the United States. Again, there is no such requirement under U.S. law.

meet a host family specialist

Did you actually physically meet the specialist? I only contact with her via email

What email address was the person from GREATAUPAIR LLC using? She used this email to contact with me: [email protected]

Here is what the US Embassy Website says about BTA

Beware of anyone who requests funds for a BTA, or Basic Travel Allowance, as a requirement to depart another country for the United States. There is no such thing as a BTA. In other cases, your Internet friend will claim to need a travel allowance, or travel money, to be able to travel to the United States. Again, there is no such requirement under U.S. law.

email address already scamlisted here
http://www.lamaletadeunaaupair.com/2013 ... ombre.html

[AlanJones]

I only contact with her via email

As Bryon said above, the first step in the au pair process for the USA is a physical meeting in your own country.

She used this email to contact with me: [email protected]

[email protected] is a free email address, a legitimate business would not use such an email address. You can find the correct address to communicate with the real agency on the Department of State website - http://j1visa.state.gov/participants/ho ... =Au%20Pair

I'm afraid that the family are fake and have no job for you, they just want to steal from you.

Please cut off all communication with them and don't accuse them of being scammers, they will just try to deny it.

Yes, it is a scam. Can you please post the emails sent to you and the email address. Please remove your personal information from them. --> She used this email to contact with me: [email protected]

You will meet the agency face to face in your country prior to being an Au Pair in the US. If this is not done then it is a scam. Please see the link below.

viewtopic.php?f=42&t=3019

United States of America

In the USA, all au pairs must go through one of a number of designated sponsor organisations - host families do not directly deal with the arrangement of the au pair's visa/travel etc.

This is the official US Department of State webpage on Au Pair J-1 Visas http://j1visa.state.gov/programs/au-pair.

This page lists the authorised sponsors for the Au Pair program http://j1visa.state.gov/participants/ho ... =Au%20Pair.

If someone claims to be an au pair sponsor and they are not on this list then they are lying.
If they appear on the list, but quote a website that is different to the one on this page - or they use an email address that is not linked to the website listed on this page then they are lying.

--> GREATAUPAIR is one of the sponsors that listed in US Department of State. That is point I dont understand because all of the informations that She provide to me FIT with informations of GREATAUPAIR LLC's website. That make me confused!!!!

This is one of the mails that She sent to me:
"Hi Au Pair,

We will like to Congratulate you for making it to the tips of your Au Pair Program 2015, We are using this moment to announce to you that the Agency has submitted all your details at the US Department of State and your DS-2019 has been approved. Before it will be released to us for shipment we need to pay for the SEVIS fee and we also need some fees for the shipment and tax clearance documents. So below are the Charges needed from you.

I-901 SEVIS Fee J visa applicants (full payment) ......................................... $150
Tax Clearance and I-94 Card..............................................................................$185
Shipment Fees.................................................................................................$45
Total..................................................................................................................$380

The total of $380 should be remitted as soon as possible, so we can get your document forward to you, set for your traveling. We will like you to get back to us as soon as you are ready to make the payment so we could guide you through the payment.



Thanks for your Co operation.
Best Regards
Winnie Reynolds
Host Family Placement Specialist."

They also sent to me 2 papers. ( how to attact this papers to show to everyone to check for scam? )

[AlanJones]

--> GREATAUPAIR is one of the sponsors that listed in US Department of State. That is point I dont understand because all of the informations that She provide to me FIT with informations of GREATAUPAIR LLC's website. That make me confused!!!!

No, they do not - the real GreatAuPair do not use a Hotmail email address, they have their own website greataupair.com and would only use email addresses from that domain (@greataupair.com) and nothing else.

The scammer has just given you publicly available information and pretended to be the legitimate agency.

This is first mail that my host family sent to me:
"Hello,
Thanks for Applying to our Family and we would like you to share some Information about yourself with Answering the Question which we Asking ok?
Whats your full name?
How soon are you willing to join?
How old are you?
Did you speak English?
Whats your gender?
Whats your nationality?
Did you know how to drive?
Did you have any Experience with kid before?
Whats your profession before you decided to work with my family?
Did you have an international passport?
Does the government of your country allow you to travel to another country?
Have you been to USA before?
Explain to me more about your culture?
Are you with an Travel Agency ?
We would provide to you More information about the agency Called GREAT AUPAIR LLC....
Hope you dont mind sending Us 6 or 7 of your pictures and If you got any Information which you would like to share then feel free too ok?
Thanks for your time and Looking forward for your Reply,

Regard,
Host Parents...

They sent to me information about aupair program by word. This one of the mails they sent to me and in this they attacted an application form and required me to fill all then sent back to them:
"Hi

Applicant,

We will like to congratulate you on your decision to work with our Agency as an Au Pair in USA. We are glad you found an host family with us and your host family has told us more about you.....


Below are the documents and requirements you need to prepare to continue the program procedures.

Documents for Application.

Please complete your application neatly since it will be presented to potential host families and will be used to apply for your Ds-2019 at the US Department of State. You may want to write your answers on another sheet of paper first then transfer them to the application. You want to make a good first impression so give as many details as you feel appropriate.

Write neatly or type in English on white paper only.

List of the Requirement needed for your Application and Documentation process.

-Signed au pair agreement

-Completed Au Pair Application Form

-Character Reference (completed by the reference)

-Childcare Reference (completed by the reference)

-Medical form signed and stamped by your doctor

-Two passport-size photos.

-Copies of diploma, Secondary school certificates and other applicable certificates. If you do not have copies, please provide a letter of attendance and/or completion.

-A copy of your driver's license (a driver's license from your home country is required if available. You do NOT need an international driver's license)

-A copy of your passport showing your name, date of birth and passport number. Your passport must be valid for at least another 18 months.
All of the documents listed above must be clearly legible, scanned and saved as PDF files and send back to us via email. It might seem like a lot of information, but remember this is what helps match you with your ideal host family and helps get all paper works for your travelling.

Thanks for your Co operation.
Best Regards
Winnie Reynolds
Host Family Placement Specialist."

I think I found the same person as you , everything is same. Can I ask about the name of host family? Is that "Senberger" thanks God that I check their email and it linked me to your post. I just found them about a week. I have 2 documents from [email protected] and lots of pictures of host family.

Welcome to Scamwarners,

If it is posted here, it is a scam.

All future Au Pair's should read here. viewtopic.php?f=42&t=3019

I received the same documents from winnie and before making the transfer, I search for her name and now end up here. So is she a scammer? I would appreciate to know the result of your process.

Welcome to Scamwarners,

It is a scam.

Please read the the thread from the beginning.