It’s understandable that after exploring platforms like Care.com for care services, you might decide it’s no longer the right fit for your needs. Whether you’ve found a caregiver or care seeker through other means, or simply wish to remove your online presence from the site, knowing how to delete your Care.com account is essential. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step walkthrough on exactly how to close your Care.com account and manage your membership, ensuring you’re no longer billed and your profile is removed.
Before proceeding with account deletion, it’s crucial to verify your membership status to avoid any unexpected charges. Let’s begin by checking if you have an active premium subscription.
Checking Your Care.com Membership Status
Before you proceed with deleting your Care.com account, it’s important to ascertain whether you have a premium membership subscription active. This step is vital to prevent future billing for a service you no longer intend to use and might not be able to cancel easily once your account is closed. Here’s how to quickly check your subscription status:
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Navigate to www.care.com and log in using your credentials.
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Locate the main menu, typically represented by three horizontal bars, in the top-left corner of your dashboard. Click this menu, and then select Account Settings. You may be prompted to log in again for security purposes; if so, please re-enter your login details.
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Scroll down until you find the “Membership Information” section. Look for “Membership Plan.” If you see Upgrade Now, it indicates that you do not have a premium membership currently active. If you see Downgrade, it means you are subscribed to a premium membership.
Important Considerations Before Deleting Your Care.com Account
Before you take the final step to delete your Care.com account, there are a few important points to keep in mind, whether you are a care seeker or a caregiver on the platform. Understanding these points will help ensure a smooth account closure process.
Deletion via Mobile App is Not Possible
It’s important to note that while Care.com offers mobile apps for convenience, you cannot delete your account directly through these apps. Although in some cases, you might be able to cancel your premium subscription via the app, the account deletion process must be initiated through the Care.com website. Therefore, ensure you access the website to fully manage and delete your account.
Special Cancellation for iOS App Subscriptions
If you subscribed to a Care.com premium membership through an iOS app, the cancellation process is slightly different. You must cancel directly through your Apple App Store subscriptions before proceeding to delete your account. Here’s how to cancel a Care.com premium membership purchased via an iOS app:
- Open the App Store app on your iOS device.
- Tap your profile icon, located in the upper-right corner, to access the main menu. Then, tap Subscriptions.
- Find and tap Care in your list of subscriptions.
- Select Cancel Subscription and follow the on-screen instructions to confirm and finalize the cancellation.
Once you have confirmed that your premium membership is canceled, you can proceed with deleting your Care.com account through the website.
How to Cancel a Care.com Membership for Families (Care Seekers)
If you are registered as a family or care seeker on Care.com and have a premium membership, you will need to cancel this subscription before you can comfortably delete your account. Here are the steps to cancel your premium membership:
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Go to www.care.com and log into your account.
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Click on the main menu icon (three bars) in the top-left corner of your dashboard and select Account Settings. You might need to log in again for security.
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Scroll to the “Membership Information” section. If you have an active subscription, you will see a Downgrade link next to “Membership Plan”. Click on Downgrade.
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Confirm your decision to cancel by clicking Continue to Cancel. This action will stop the auto-renewal of your premium subscription.
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Care.com will present a brief survey asking for your reasons for cancellation. Complete the survey prompts and click Confirm Cancellation at the end.
Important Note: Even after canceling, you will continue to enjoy premium benefits until the end of your current billing cycle. The exact date is visible in the “Membership Information” section of your account settings.
How to Cancel a Care.com Membership for Caregivers
For caregivers, the process to cancel a premium membership might vary slightly depending on your location. In regions like the US, cancellation can often be done directly through your account settings. In other areas, you may need to contact Care.com’s customer service or billing department. Here’s a general guide:
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Visit www.care.com and log into your caregiver account.
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Click the main menu (either three bars or your profile picture) at the top-left corner of your dashboard and go to Account (&) Settings. You may be asked to log in again.
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Find the “Membership Information” section and click on Manage or Cancel Plan.
(Image source: Care.com US Help Center)
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Select Downgrade to Basic.
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Confirm your decision to downgrade your membership.
After completing these steps, your premium membership cancellation will be processed.
How to Delete Your Care.com Account After Unsubscribing
Once you have successfully canceled your premium membership, the next step is to delete your Care.com account entirely. Remember, canceling your membership does not automatically delete your account, and vice versa. To completely remove your presence from Care.com, follow these steps to delete your account:
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Go to www.care.com and log in.
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Open the main menu (three bars) in the top-left corner and select Account Settings. You might be prompted to log in again.
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Scroll down to the “Membership Information” section. This time, look for and click on the Close Account link.
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On the subsequent page, Care.com will present alternative options such as pausing your account, closing job postings, or unsubscribing from emails. If you are certain about deleting your account, proceed by selecting a Close Reason from the drop-down menu. If you choose “Other,” you’ll need to specify your reason in an additional text box.
You can also provide additional comments in the “Additional Comments” box regarding your decision to close your account. Once you’re ready, click Submit.
FAQs About Deactivating Your Care.com Account
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about canceling your membership and deleting your Care.com account, providing clarity on what happens to your profile and membership status.
Will my profile information be deleted from Care.com?
Yes, if you choose to permanently close your account, all information associated with your account will be deleted. If you opt to pause your account instead, your profile information will be hidden after your annual background check expires but retained by Care.com for potential reactivation.
Can I reactivate my Care.com account if I change my mind?
If you paused your account, reactivation is possible, and you can resume using your existing profile. However, if you closed your account, all your information is deleted, and you would need to create a new account if you decide to use Care.com again.
If I delete my account, is my membership automatically canceled?
No, deleting your account does not automatically cancel any active subscriptions. It is crucial to cancel your premium membership before deleting your account to avoid future charges.
Am I eligible for a refund when I cancel my subscription?
According to Care.com’s terms of use, premium membership subscriptions are non-refundable. However, upon cancellation, you will continue to receive premium benefits until the end of your current billing cycle.
What will happen to my reviews on Care.com after cancellation?
If you delete your care seeker account, reviews you have written about caregivers will remain visible on the platform. If you wish to edit or remove a review before closing your account, you should contact Care.com customer service.
Top Alternatives to Care.com for Caregiving and Care Seeking
While Care.com is a leading platform in the caregiving marketplace, several alternatives offer similar or specialized services. Here are three top alternatives you might consider:
For a more detailed comparison and additional options, explore our comprehensive guide on the best alternatives to Care.com, or check out our direct comparison: Sittercity vs. Care.com.
In conclusion, deleting your Care.com account involves a straightforward process of first canceling any premium memberships and then proceeding with account closure through the website settings. We hope this guide has made the process clear and easy to follow. If you are seeking different platforms, exploring alternatives might provide a better fit for your care needs.
