Prospective helper disappeared with papers

I am new to HK and would be grateful for advice. Im sure this must have happened to others. I interviewed a number of helpers found on this site. I offered a job to one. She accepted. She was experienced and been in HK for over 10 years. She came to our home 3 times during the last week, including a full afternoon of work yesterday (mostly just spending time with the children so they could get to know her but also ironing etc). I felt comfortable with her and trusted her. Good references. I left her alone at home for about 90 mins and nothing taken, and work done. I saw all her papers, passport etc. We spent time together filling in forms for both her conzulate and the im dept. Her visa expires this weekend so she said she needed to actually go to the Im dept and process the forms, which involved going early and waiting all day if necessary. I offered to go with her but she said no need, and it would be a pain with 2 young kids etc. So off she went today with copies of my ID, the contract, my proof of address, Copy of my husbands payslip etc. I asked her to keep me posted, and let me know if there are any problems. And now i hear nothing. I texted her this afternoon, and called this evening, and no response to either.


I have not paid her anything, other than her travel to my home. I am very surprised as she was so keen to process and start work. I had offered to delay her start to allow her to go home but she declined, preferring to have leave at Christmas. Clearly i misread her and made a poor choice, given her lack of comm today. But my real question is what could she do with those docs? She doesnt have originals of anything. Should i tell anyone/report what has happened?


Thanks for any advice you can give.

Thanks cara! You were right, I was worrying needlessly. She just texted me to say sorry she only just got my message, everything is ok but she has to go back tomorrow. I guess I am just getting used to this business, and trying to get the level of trust right. I have heard so many horror stories that it has put me on my guard a bit, and perhaps a bit too much!