CARVER COUNTY, Minn (trfnews.i234.me) – Finding reliable childcare is a challenge for new parents, as Jackie Schulze from Waconia learned the hard way. Desperate to secure daycare for her twins, Schulze was scammed out of $2,800 by a woman named Natalie Bloss, who falsely claimed to be a licensed provider. Schulze, along with 14 other families across the Twin Cities, trusted Bloss after she built rapport by quoting state regulations and showing a “classroom.” But once the money was handed over, the evasive excuses began.
Bloss delayed care with claims of health issues, only to disappear without refunding the money. Families quickly connected online, realizing they had been victims of the same scam. Bloss, who used similar tactics with each family, was convicted of Theft-by-Swindle and sentenced to probation in May.
To avoid daycare fraud, Minnesota parents are urged to verify licenses using the state’s online resources and thoroughly vet providers through in-person tours and reference checks.