How to Tell If a Maid Agency Is Ethical or a Scam: A Clear Guide for Filipino Families
By HumanPlus Editorial
Families looking for a maid, yaya, caregiver, cook, or driver often share the same worry:
“Paano ko malalaman kung legit ang agency — o scam?”
In an industry where trust is everything, the line between ethical and unethical agencies can be hard to see.
Some operate professionally, transparently, and lawfully.
Others cut corners, hide their identity, or use tactics that place both clients and workers at risk.
Here is a clear, practical guide to help Filipino households identify the difference.
1. Ethical Agencies Are Transparent — Scammers Hide Behind Multiple Pages
A legitimate maid agency has:
✔ A real business address
✔ A permanent website
✔ Verified social media pages
✔ Consistent branding
✔ A registered business name
✔ Clear contact numbers
Scam agencies rely on:
✘ Temporary Facebook pages
✘ Recycled or stolen photos
✘ Disappearing contact details
✘ Multiple pages pretending to be one brand
✘ “Fixers” who claim to represent the company
A simple rule:
If the agency cannot even verify its identity, do not trust it with your household.
2. Ethical Agencies Are Verified — Scammers Avoid Verification
Verification badges matter more today than ever.
A real, transparent agency is willing to undergo platform verification, such as:
Meta Verification (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp)
LinkedIn Verification
X (Twitter) Verification
Verification requires identity checks, legal documents, and domain ownership.
Scam pages avoid this because:
✘ they cannot prove legal identity
✘ they cannot show business registration
✘ they fear being reported or taken down
When an agency is verified, families know:
The reviews are real.
The responses are official.
The brand is accountable.
3. Ethical Agencies Provide Contracts — Scammers Avoid Paperwork
A legitimate maid agency:
✔ Offers written contracts
✔ Explains fees clearly
✔ Discloses worker rights
✔ Follows labor guidelines
✔ Provides receipts
✔ Declares placement processes upfront
A scam agency often:
✘ Uses “verbal agreements”
✘ Avoids receipts
✘ Changes fees suddenly
✘ Has unclear replacement policies
✘ Gives vague answers when you ask for documents
If an agency cannot put their promises in writing, they likely cannot deliver on them.
4. Ethical Agencies Screen Their Workers — Scammers Deploy Anyone Available
A real maid agency verifies:
✔ Background
✔ Identification
✔ Work experience
✔ Psychological readiness
✔ Skills and behavioral fit
✔ Employment history
Scam agencies often send:
✘ unverified workers
✘ workers with unknown backgrounds
✘ workers recruited from Facebook groups
✘ people who were never trained or screened
The result?
Safety risks, mismatched skills, and unstable employment.
5. Ethical Agencies Have Case Records — Scammers Have No Documentation
A trustworthy agency maintains:
✔ client records
✔ worker records
✔ deployment logs
✔ incident reports
✔ replacement history
✔ communication documentation
This protects BOTH the family and the worker.
Scam operations, however:
✘ cannot verify past deployments
✘ cannot provide legitimate client references
✘ have no complaint process
✘ cannot show written policies
If you ask for documentation and they “don’t have it,” walk away.
6. Ethical Agencies Don’t Delete Reviews — Scammers Manipulate Ratings
A real agency accepts:
✔ praise
✔ criticism
✔ client concerns
✔ honest public reviews
They respond professionally and resolve issues using verified data.
A scam agency will:
✘ delete negative comments
✘ block customers
✘ disable reviews
✘ open new pages to reset ratings
✘ pay for fake 5-star reviews
If every review is perfect, beware.
No agency in the real world has 100% perfection — only transparency.
7. Ethical Agencies Have Real Accountability — Scammers Disappear
Before choosing an agency, check:
✔ Is there a real office you can visit?
✔ Are they responsive across platforms?
✔ Do they reply as a verified account?
✔ Are they operational for many years?
Scam operators tend to:
✘ disappear after payment
✘ shut pages when exposed
✘ change names frequently
✘ operate without any traceable identity
If it feels unstable or temporary, it probably is.
8. Ethical Agencies Protect Both the Client and the Worker
A professional maid agency:
✔ ensures fair worker treatment
✔ follows ethical recruitment standards
✔ protects worker rights
✔ matches skills properly
✔ supports both sides during conflict
✔ maintains a structured replacement process
Scammers usually exploit workers:
✘ underpaid
✘ unprotected
✘ untrained
✘ recruited illegally
✘ pressured to accept unfair conditions
An agency that abuses workers is also unsafe for clients.
9. Ethical Agencies Use Systems — Not Guesswork
Modern, professional agencies today use:
coordination platforms
safety tracking
case monitoring
identity verification
structured onboarding
Scammers rely on:
✘ group chats
✘ anonymous coordinators
✘ text-only communication
✘ brokers and middlemen
When there is no system, there is no safety.
10. Ethical Agencies Welcome Questions — Scammers Become Defensive
Ask these:
“How do you screen your workers?”
“Do you provide a written contract?”
“Do you have verified pages?”
“Can you show your business registration?”
“Do you have a clear replacement policy?”
Ethical agencies answer confidently.
Scam agencies get uncomfortable — or angry.
For Filipino Families: Trust Is Your First Line of Protection
Choosing a household professional is a major decision.
This person enters your home, cares for your children, and becomes part of your daily life.
When evaluating a maid or kasambahay agency, look for:
✔ identity
✔ transparency
✔ documentation
✔ accountability
✔ verified presence
✔ professionalism
If any of these are missing, the risk is too high.