How to Cancel Care.com in 2026 (Premium + Background Check Refund)

Updated 2026-02-22 · 6 min read

Care.com's Pricing Trap

Care.com operates on a freemium model that's basically useless at the free tier:

• Free: Create a profile, browse caregivers, but you can NOT message anyone or see their contact info
• Premium ($39.99/month or $156/year): Message caregivers, see background checks, access to "Care@Work" benefits
• Background checks ($59-199 each): Charged separately on top of premium

The trap: you sign up, find a great nanny or babysitter, and think you're done. But the membership auto-renews. You end up paying $40/month for a service you used once. Care.com counted on this — their revenue model depends on people forgetting to cancel.

How to Cancel Care.com Premium

Method 1: Website (Desktop)

1. Log into care.com on a desktop browser
2. Click your name (top right) → Account & Settings
3. Click Membership
4. Click "Downgrade" or "Cancel membership"
5. Click through the retention screens (there will be 3-4 of them)
6. Confirm cancellation and save your confirmation email

Method 2: Phone

Call 1-877-227-3115 and say "cancel membership." Have your account email ready. Phone cancellation is faster than navigating the website's retention maze.

Method 3: Email

Email careteam@care.com requesting cancellation. Include your account email, full name, and a clear statement: "I want to cancel my premium membership immediately and stop all future billing." Request confirmation.

Getting a Refund

Care.com's official refund policy is stingy — they generally don't offer refunds for unused membership time. However:

• Within 14 days of signup/renewal: Request a refund via phone or email. Be persistent — first-line support may say no, but escalating to a supervisor usually works.
• Auto-renewal you didn't want: If you can show you tried to cancel before renewal, or didn't receive a renewal notice, you have grounds for a refund.
• Credit card chargeback: If Care.com refuses a reasonable refund, your credit card company can often reverse the charge — especially if you can show the auto-renewal was not clearly disclosed.

How to Delete Your Care.com Account

Canceling premium and deleting your account are separate steps. To fully delete:

1. First cancel your premium membership (above steps)
2. Go to Account Settings → "Close my account"
3. Confirm deletion
4. Email careteam@care.com requesting full data deletion under CCPA/state privacy laws

Free Alternatives to Care.com

• Nextdoor app: Free. Local parents regularly post looking for or recommending babysitters and nannies. No platform fee.
• Facebook groups: Search "[Your City] Parents" or "[Your City] Nanny Share." Active in most metro areas.
• UrbanSitter: Pay-per-booking model ($10-15/booking) instead of monthly subscription. Only pay when you actually use it.
• Sittercity: Similar to Care.com but cheaper ($35/month). Also has a free tier that actually lets you message.
• Word of mouth: Ask at daycare, school pickup, neighbors. The best caregivers never need to advertise on platforms.