While the idea of simplifying “on-demand” household help is nice, the truth is more complicated. When you give strangers full access to your home, the risk of theft or damage is inherent. Always make sure you have someone on your side doing the references and/or background checks so you know the source.
It might be convenient to summon a cleaning service with the tap of your smartphone, but police in New York City are warning that convenience could lead to theft after dozens of customers using the house-cleaning app Handy reported being burgled.
DNA Info reports that the NYPD received reports of more than 50 incidents in 2016 related to theft of property by cleaners sent to residents’ homes through the Handy app.
In one incident reported to police in July, a cleaner hired through Handy allegedly stole $8,000 worth of handbags from an apartment the employee was hired to clean.
The NYPD’s Community Affairs Bureau sent emails to residents last week urging them to safeguard valuables when hiring cleaners and other service providers from such on-demand apps…
Source: ‘Handy’ Cleaning App Linked To More Than 50 Thefts In NYC – Consumerist